A new survey has reported that school children are less active now than they were prior to the 2012 London Olympics.
The findings, from the Youth Sport Trust’s National PE, School Sport and Physical Activity Survey Report indicates that school children are engaged in less than two hours’ worth of PE lessons per week.
At the same time, the survey found that the average number of school links with community sports clubs are down to five, from a figure of nine in 2009/10.
Baroness Campbell, chairman of the Youth Sports Trust, described the findings as painting a “bleak and worrying picture” on the activity levels of the young today.
Speaking at the launch of the Youth Sport Trust’s ‘Unlocking Potential’ manifesto, Campbell said: "Our manifesto demonstrates how PE, school sport and physical activity improves physical health; boosts mental health and builds resilience; creates active habits for life and boosts academic achievement.
"We have set out where we believe any future Government should focus its efforts if we are to stand any real chance of reversing the worrying trends that are leading to increasing sedentary lifestyles amongst young people."
Commenting on the findings, Emma Boggis, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said:
“Tackling childhood obesity and inactivity is already a key health policy and work needs to be done to ensure children are encouraged to be physically active both in and outside the school gates.
“Our own research shows that promoting physical activity at a young age doesn’t only have health benefits, but that it benefits children academically as well.”
The Sport and Recreation Alliance and the physical activity sector have published an open letter to the Government on the impact of Pathways to Work on disabled people and activity levels across the UK.
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