Active People Survey / Active Lives Survey (2005+)

There are 2 Active Lives Surveys; an Adult Survey which focuses on people aged 16 and over, and a Children and Young People Survey which looks at the activity levels of children aged 5-16. Both surveys represent a way of measuring the number of people taking part in sport and physical activity. The Active Lives Adult Survey commenced in November 2015 and replaced the Active People Survey, which ran from 2005 to 2015. The first Children and Young People survey detailed activity levels during the September 2017 to July 2018 academic year. The 2 surveys have differing methodologies.

Survey of adult participation in sport and active recreation in England. Provides a measurement of participation in sport and recreational physical activity at a sub-regional and local level. Identifies how participation varies from place to place and between different groups in the population. Measures 2 key indicators: (1) the percentage of adults participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity sport and active recreation (including recreational walking and cycling) on 3 or more days a week and (2) the percentage of the adult population volunteering in sport and active recreation for at least one hour a week. Also provides data on club membership, receipt of tuition, participation in organised/competitive sport, and satisfaction with local sports provision. The questionnaire was designed to enable analysis of the findings by a broad range of demographic information, such as gender, social class, ethnicity, household structure, age and disability.

The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, which was established in September 2017, provides a world-leading approach to gathering data on how children engage with sport and physical activity. This school-based survey is the first and largest established physical activity survey with children and young people in England. It gives anyone working with children aged 5-16 key insight to help understand children's attitudes and behaviours around sport and physical activity. 

To obtain a free account please register with the UKDA.