Reasons for participation and non-participation in physical

activitiesSome people show no interest in sports whatsoever

but are nonetheless interested in keeping healthy and try to do some exercise as well as being careful what

they eat

Reasons for getting involved in sport and following an active,

healthy lifestyle

Reasons for getting involved in sport and following an active, healthy lifestyle• Benefits to health and fitness – sport can make

us fitter and therefore healthier• Benefits to well-being – certain hormones are

released during exercise which can help us to feel more optimistic about life and better about ourselves

• Relief from stress –people often use sport as an escape from the pressure of working life. Through sport we can release some of our pent-up frustrations and aggressions (e.g. by hitting a squash ball really hard)

• Learning new skills and making progress – this produces a sense of accomplishment

• Competition – many people get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction out of testing their own capabilities by competing with others

• Meeting new people and making friends• To live longer

• To improve or maintain their image

• As a hobby – something to do

• To please or to copy parents/role models

• As a job or vocation

• To enjoy oneself

Reasons for non-participation in physical activity

• In all age groups there are people who do not participate in physical activity or follow an active, healthy lifestyle. More and more people are now obese and there is an increase in diseases linked to poor lifestyle such as diabetes type 2, some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Reasons for non-participation in physical activity

The main reasons for not participating are:

• Health problems

• Disability

• Injury

• Reliance on cars and other technologies

• Lack of time and other pressures

• Lack of opportunity and access to facilities

• Lack of money

• Discrimination

• Peer pressure

• Cultural factors

• Lack of confidence and self esteem

• Lack of encouragement and positive role models