Wales Activity Tracker Survey 13 - July 2024

Headline Summary

The summer 2024 ‘Wales Activity Tracker’ findings reveal several positive trends and insights into current behaviours and attitudes towards exercise. 

• The data shows an increase in high activity levels, with 29% of adults engaging in physical activity on five or more days per week, marking a notable rise from previous months.
• This increase correlates with a growing confidence and sense of opportunity among individuals, as three in four adults (75%) feel they have the opportunity to be active, the highest level recorded to date.

• In contrast, only 10% of adults reported having done no regular physical activity over the last three months, maintaining the lowest rate of inactivity across all survey waves. These findings suggest that more people are integrating regular exercise into their lives at this time, aided by a perceived ability to be active, with 73% agreeing that they have the capacity to do so.
• This confidence is mirrored by the fact that seven in ten adults (70%) believe that regular exercise is important to them, the highest proportion seen in all survey waves.

• The influence of major sporting events on physical activity is also evident, with one in four adults (25%) reporting that they were inspired to become more active after watching a major event in the past three months. Of these individuals, a significant portion were inspired by Euro 2024 (22%) or the Olympics (20%).
• Encouragingly, 74% of those motivated by these events intend to continue their increased physical activity for at least six months.

• When considering sports club membership, 16% of adults are currently members, with male respondents, younger age groups, and those from higher socio-economic backgrounds more likely to be involved.
• This ties into the broader societal view that sports and physical activity are essential, with 54% of adults believing it is important for the newly elected UK government to prioritise these areas.

• Physical activity among children is also promising at this time, with 90% of parents of children aged 15 or younger reporting that their children engage in physical activity outside school on weekdays, and an even higher 95% on weekends.
• These figures reflect a wide range of both informal and formal activities (such as walking, cycling, scootering, running, ball games, trampolining, active play and dancing) and mark an increase from summer 2023, when the same figures were 85% and 88% respectively. It is positive to see children and adults making the most of the summer weather and holidays to keep physically active in 2024.

• Finally, the survey highlighted that over two in five adults (44%) who have been active in the past week utilised indoor facilities, the highest rate observed in any survey wave. Moreover, the proportion of adults attending gyms, fitness classes, and swimming sessions has increased compared to previous months, further illustrating a greater engagement in various forms of physical activity at this time.