Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking detailed in new Sport Ireland report
Date: 12-05-2021
- Increase in number of adults walking for recreation
- Decrease in numbers partaking in organised sport due to Covid-19 restrictions
Sport Ireland has published the findings of the Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) 2021 Quarter 1 report, which shows that overall levels of physical activity have increased on 2019 figures despite a decrease in organised sport participation.
Download report Ipsos MRBI Q1 2021 Report
The research, conducted by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Sport Ireland, examined the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking in the period January – March 2021, comparing the results to the same period in 2019 and equivalent studies undertaken during the Covid-19 restrictions.
The number of adults walking for recreation is up from 65% in 2019 (the most recent Irish Sports Monitor report) to 76% in Q1 2021. This figure however is down from the all-time high of 80% during April to May last year. Running and cycling have experienced similar fluxes, with today’s report showing an increase on the same period in 2019 but a decrease in participation levels during Covid-19 restrictions.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, stated: “It is heartening to see the number of people walking is significantly ahead of 2019 figures and has remained so throughout the restrictions. The reduction in sports participation is a concern but I am confident that this will improve as we see the gradual reopening of facilities over the coming months. This optimism is reflected in the 89% of respondents who say they will return to the activity they gave up as a result of Covid-19.
Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD commented: “Throughout the pandemic we have acknowledged the important role that sport and physical activity plays in all our lives, benefitting our physical health and mental wellbeing. Today’s research highlights the resilience of the people of Ireland and their commitment and flexibility to maintaining active lifestyles, even in the face of a global pandemic”.
Equivalent research undertaken by Ipsos MRBI during Covid-19 restrictions found that rather than giving up on sport and physical activity, the people of Ireland adapted their behaviours and took up new sports and activities. Last year, declines in indoor sports, team sports and organised sport due to imposed restrictions were offset by unprecedented increases in outdoor activities such as running, cycling and recreational walking as well as home based personal exercise and weight training.
However, today’s report, covering the period January to March 2021 shows the gains made in running, cycling and home based exercise last year have receded. Sports participation decreased to 35% - the lowest level since 2007. This contrasts to one of the highest levels of sports participation recorded of 47% in the same time period of 2019. The decrease was seen across all age groups and in both genders. 44% of respondents reported having given up one or more sports or physical activities due to Covid-19.
The upward trend in recreational walking continues in this quarter’s report with three in four adults walking for recreation on a regular basis. There is also hope for indoor sports and organised sport as
89% of people who have given up one or more sports/activities during the pandemic say they intend to return once restrictions allow.
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy commented, “While the quarter 1 Irish Sports Monitor results show a decline in sport participation levels during Covid-19 restrictions, it is encouraging to see that the level of recreational walking has remained high. The last year has been very difficult for everyone and for the sports sector as whole. Sport Ireland and the sport sector is committed to helping everyone in Ireland get active and experience the incredible health benefits sport has to offer”.
The announcement today coincides with the publication of two important international pieces of research which highlight the significant health benefits associated with being physically active during the pandemic. Research from Glasgow Caledonian University[1] found that physical activity reduces the risk of illness with Covid-19 and increases the efficacy of vaccination. Research published in the British Journal of Medical Science[2] found that of a sample of 48,440 people in America who were diagnosed with Covid-19, those who were physically active on a regular basis had lower odds of being hospitalised, requiring ICU admission or dying from Covid-19. These publications recommend promoting the importance of physical activity during the pandemic and suggest combining vaccination campaigns with safe physical activity programmes to boost vaccine effectiveness.