RESIDENTS living near the epicentre of the Commonwealth Games 2014 took part in less sport and exercise in the months after the event than before.

An official survey of people living in the East End of Glasgow found use of sports facilities, physical activity levels and visits to green spaces all declined in the wake of the much celebrated athletic event.

However, while 70 per cent of locals said they were inconvenienced by the neighbourhood hosting many of the main contests, the vast majority of them felt it was worth it for the enjoyment and benefits the games brought to Glasgow.

One in 20 households gained some employment as a result of the games and one in 10 picked-up work in relation to linked regeneration schemes. Rates of satisfaction with the neighbourhood improved and more people felt safe on the streets.

Before the games Paul Zealey, head of engagement and legacy for Glasgow 2014, warned although much had been done to make the most of the opportunity, he could not promise physical activity levels in Scotland would improve. Research from around the world has shown hosting major sporting events does not necessarily inspire people to change their own behaviour.

Go Well, a respected partnership of researchers including Glasgow University and Glasgow Centre for Population Health, was commissioned to track physical activity levels and other wellbeing factors in six communities in the East End of Glasgow to assess the impact of the games.

They interviewed 1015 adults in the summer of 2012 and returned again between October 2014 and February 2015, re-interviewing 414 of the respondents.

In 2012 56 per cent said they had participated in some form of sporting activity during the previous month. This dropped nine percentage points to to 47 per cent after the games. There was a jump in the proportion of people who thought nearby sports facilities were fairly good or very good, up 14 percentage points. But, reported use of them dropped four per cent for men and seven per cent for women.

In 2012 57 per cent of those interviewed carried out the recommended level of 150 minutes moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a week. This fell to 46 per cent in 2014-15.

The researchers note access to sports facilities was disrupted during the games and this may have affected how people used them later that year. They also say the second survey took place in the winter, potentially affecting exercise patterns.

There are also conflicting findings, with seven per cent telling the researchers they are doing more sport or exercise thanks to the games and eight per cent saying they were considering doing more.

A further wave of research, which also involved the Medical Research Council and Chief Scientist Office Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, is planned.

Professor Ade Kearns, principal investigator on the study, said: "It would have been great if there was an improvement (in physical activity) but let's wait to see what transpires so that we can absolutely rule out whether there was a seasonal affect going on."

He highlighted positive findings about the regeneration of the area and said: "Often these events give people good memories they take away with them. Memories are quite important when people think back about their lives. One of the legacy objectives was to increase civic pride in the area and in Glasgow and the games clearly have been one way to shift that."

However, he stressed this was not the end of the need for change in Glasgow's East End. "There is a big job to be done and it is not all done yet by any means," he said. "I would like people to bear that in mind and not think this is it."

Councillor Archie Graham, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Hosting the Commonwealth Games and influx of athletes, officials and visitors from around the world was a huge undertaking for the city and I'm pleased that the majority of survey respondents felt it was worth it and indeed are still enjoying the benefits of the regeneration activity and community engagement through a number of organisations, including the council and Glasgow Life. We are fully aware that social change on this scale happens over a prolonged period and with continuous effort. We will strive to keep the momentum going..."

Lord Smith of Kelvin, the Chair of urban regeneration company Clyde Gateway said he was delighted with the findings and added they are currently seven years into a 20-year programme of planned work. "The continued support of the government and our partners will ensure that the Legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be every bit as world-class as the event was itself," he said.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: "There can be no doubt that the Games have been a strong catalyst for regeneration in the East End of Glasgow, with anticipated lasting benefits to the communities living there." He agreed it was up to everyone to "continue working hard to ensure the legacy of the Games is lasting and positive."