Sports participation

The data summarised here are based on Scottish Household Survey results from 2016 and illustrate participation in sport by gender, age, deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation[SIMD]), and illness/disability.

These figures highlight that for most activities and most age groupings, Glaswegians more or less match the Scottish average for participation levels in sport.

Participation in sport in Glasgow versus Scotland

Walking is by far the most popular sporting activity with 59% of Glaswegians walking for at least 30 minutes over a four week period. However, it is notable that this is below the national figure of 67%. Glaswegians are more likely than Scotland as a whole to play football, go running/jogging, cycling and multigym/weight training. However, more than one in four Glaswegians and one in five people across Scotland didn’t participate in any sport over a four week period.

Male participation in sport: comparison between Glasgow and Scotland

Men in Glasgow are most likely to walk, multi-gym/weight training, run/jog and play football, as sporting activities. However, around one in four (23%) do not take part in any form of sporting activity.

Female participation in sport: comparison between Glasgow and Scotland

Women in Glasgow are most likely to walk, take part in aerobics, multi-gym or swim. Around one in three Glaswegian women (30%) don’t take part in any regular physical activity (four week period).

Participation in sport by age 

The charts show that participation in sport tends to decline with age. Younger adults tend to be involved in the greatest range of different activities.

Younger adults tend to be involved in the greatest range of different activities whilst middle-aged and older adults are far more likely to walk for recreational purposes rather than take part in other activities.

Participation in sport in the last four weeks by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Across Glasgow and Scotland higher deprivation has a direct association with decreased levels of physical activity. Those in the 20% most deprived areas were less likely to participate in a sporting activity in Glasgow than those in the less deprived areas (66% compared to 80%, respectively). The proportions participating in sporting activity by deprivation were similar in Scotland overall.

Participation in sport in the last four weeks by long standing illness, health problem or disability

In both Glasgow and Scotland, participation in sport is greatly reduced in those with a long term physical/mental health condition. In Glasgow, 32% of adults with a long-term major illness or disability and 58% of adults with a long-term minor illness or disability took part in any sport (over a four week period) compared to 83% of adults without a long-term illness or disability.

Notes

It should be noted that many of the apparent differences in the figures between Glasgow and Scotland may not be significant due to the relatively small sample sizes.