MORE THAN ONE in three Irish adults now use fitness tracking devices while 40% of the population increased their fitness levels as a result of Covid-19, according to a study conducted by Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index.
The Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index [TSSI] is a comprehensive 1,000 person nationally representative survey with quotas imposed across gender, region, age and social class.
It examines the Irish general public’s attitudes towards sport and exercise, and is in the eleventh year of its research.
This study outlines how health and fitness changed in 2020 with numbers of people walking, cycling and running all rising sharply.
One of the key findings showed that 64% of people used exercise as a tool to manage and improve mental health. The study also discovered that there was a 75% increase in the number of people cycling, as well as a 100% increase in the number of people running.
37% of people now use a fitness wearable or app to track their fitness, which is an increase of nearly a third compared to 27% last year.
32% of existing club members have joined a new sports club in 2020 while 25% of Irish adults have remained a member of a gym or fitness club despite facilities being closed for long periods during 2020.
Key Findings from the Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index 2020:
- Overall activity levels remain at 2019 levels but the nature of how we exercise has changed
- Walking is the nation’s preferred form of exercise with 62% of the population walking to keep fit [up from 44%]
- Cycling and running experience surges in popularity – 75% increase in the number of people cycling and 100% increase in the number of people running
- 40% of the population saw an increase in their fitness levels as a result of Covid-19
- Exercise cited by 64% of people as a tool to manage and improve mental health
- Use of fitness technology is widespread – 37% of the population wear a fitness tracker and 29% of gym members turned to virtual exercise classes in 2020
- Sports clubs membership held firm boosted by 32% of existing club members joining a new sports club in 2020
- Irish public backs Government decision to increase funding to sport sector during Covid-19
I wouldn’t have thought today would have been a slow news day, but I suppose when you take out Covid and Brexit there’s not that much left.
I’m thinking fatness trackers will be a big seller after the Christmas lockdown…
I appreciate The42 putting the articles back to the top of the feed because they didn’t get enough comments
Teneo? Ak47 brother company same one that was advising the government on water privatisation.
@Dave Byrne: Ak47′s brother. Is that your man Kalashnikov?
@Miguel Santychez: Nope its the nickname for a certain Labour man.
Sure there’s nothing else to be at
Pity many fitness trackers are used to sell more personal data. But who cares about privacy if the insurance cost can be reduced… or increased.
The Fitbit Charge 4 is terrible. Doesn’t count my swimming laps correctly nor distance correctly when I run.
@Rob Jones: Does it work when you are peddling?
@Alan Biddulph: Probably not. It’s a joke of a device and their support is worse than useless.
@Rob Jones: Fitbits are junk. You need to get Polar or Garmin for accuracy.
I initially read this as “big increase in number of adults wearing tracksuits”…which would have been more newsworthy and interesting.
@Kilrisk Investments: Shell tracksuits.
The Tin hats will be out in force over this ONE “it’s a conspiracy to keep tabs on us”LOL