Almost half of the adults in Scotland did less sport and exercise over the last year, according to a survey.
Research by the Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS) found that 47% of those asked said their participation in sport and exercise was a lot or a little less over the last 12 months, compared to the same period before the Covid-19 crisis.
A further 32% said their activity levels had remained the same, while 14% said they had done more.
The survey - which questioned 1000 Scots aged 18 to 80 - found that the drop in activity was bigger for men compared to women, and in younger age groups.
Report author Nick Rowe claimed the findings are a cause for concern.
He said: “A country where participation rates in sport and levels of physical activity were at best static, and in deprived areas showing indications of reversing, has been hit by a pandemic that has pushed them in a negative direction.
“The future is uncertain. An optimistic scenario would see a speedy rebound as people at least regress to their pre-pandemic levels of participation in sport and physical activity. The desire for opportunities to be available is an indication of a public appetite for this return to ‘normality’.
“But there is legitimate concern for a more pessimistic scenario. People’s engagement in positive behaviours are no less habitual than their engagement in negative ones. Those at the sporty end of the participation spectrum are likely to bounce back quickly as sport and exercise opportunities open. But those who have a more ambivalent relationship to physical activity may lack the motivation to overcome increasing barriers.
“For these people inactivity and disengagement can become a downward spiral from which they find it difficult if not impossible to recover. And the likelihood is that the impacts will not be evenly distributed but will be felt more by those already living in disadvantage and poverty.”
The survey also found that 56% of adults reported spending a little or a lot more time sitting during the last year, prompting concern about an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Looking towards recovery, six out of 10 of those asked said they consider it fairly or very important that they have the opportunity to take part in sport and exercise once restrictions are lifted.
However, Mr Rowe added that the impact of the pandemic may have hit public facilities able to accommodate this.
He said: “Whilst many people are looking forward to the opportunity to return to sport and exercise activity, the pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the capacity and infrastructure available to support participation. Many public facilities were already facing challenges to their viability before the pandemic and the extent to which the pandemic has tipped them over the edge to closure remains to be seen.”
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