THE IRISH SPORTS Council (ISC) has found that adult participation in sport here continues to increase and now stands at 47% with personal exercise the most popular sporting activity.
In its fifth Irish Sports Monitor Report the ISC found that while 65% of adults have participated in recreational walking in the previous seven days, running has also seen a significant increase (6% to 9%) thanks to the number of people who are graduating to running as part of their exercise regime.
The increase in participation means that 32% of Irish adults are now meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines — 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five days a week — up from 30% in 2011, while the proportion of those living a sedentary lifestyle has fallen 1% to 12%.
However, there is bad news from the report with suggestions that young people are abandoning sport and physical activity. While 80% of 16-19 year olds took part in sporting activities in 2011, that figure now stands at 75% with nearly 10% fewer young men involved in sport.
While there were falls in participation in traditional team sports like hurling, football and soccer, individual activities such as dancing, weights and cycling all experienced slight increases.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring TD said:
“The growing participation in sport is great news, especially for all the people and organisations who work hard to get more people involved. The report shows that Government investment in sport is boosting sporting activity, and hopefully producing a healthier society”.
John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council said he was “delighted” that sport was playing such a huge role in keeping the nation active.
“These changes are in no small part a testimony to the work of the many sporting organisations who continue to direct and focus their efforts towards inactive groups. The challenge now is to maintain the good work and keep Ireland active.”
Please men stop wearing Lycra, Women Only Thanks.
I know I look like a gobsh!te wearing it, I wish I didn’t have to but believe me, you have to. Cycle for an hour in a pair of jeans and you’ll find out why, nevermind long sportives around 160km for 6/7 hours.
Hedley, would you rather see this? http://goo.gl/Nlt6J4
Bob – A simple pair of shorts over the lycra does the trick
Tried it Pedro. Lyrca dries off very quickly, which in Ireland is vital. Depending on the thickness of the shorts, even the thinnest of them would take ages to dry. Not nice at all.
If you don’t like the lycra then stop looking at the mens asses.
Gota say I don’t like wearing Lycra when cycling but really you are at nothing wearing anything else, especially on long cycles on a road bike.
There are reasons why lycra is wore ;
It doesn’t chaff
Tight clothing helps sweat get to the surface faster which helps it evaporate faster, which makes bicyclists more comfortable.
It dries quicker when its raining.
Its compression for muscles aides the cyclist.
It helps with aerodynamics.
ned flanders feels like nothing at all…
Damn sexy Flanders.
*stupid
Adult sports? Ye mean ridin’ or what?
That Michael Ring is full of BS. ‘government funding of the sports is working’. really? jogging on a public road or joining a private gym is as a result of government funding? these people will take credit for anything
I do lots of “personal exercise” I’m surprised that only 47% do it!
I’m in the fitness protection scheme
Yes sit
Alot more people are making the choice to be more active, improve their general fitness which is a positive step on so many levels. The fact that a government minister is taking credit for it is hardly a surprise. The only thing he didn’t go as far as saying is that the government has invested heavily in peoples “free will” also!! Its through that more so that people has chosen to become more active, to try and more than likely improve their well being and get through the malaise that has been created by politicians, bankers et al in the past 5-7 years. Credit most definately goes to the sporting organisations that work relentlessly through volunteerism and self fund raising efforts with minimal governmental support. They most definately through the love of their own individual sports help to keep Ireland Active
I only spotted that the gov took credit…. sweet God above.
Its a new social thing and people enjoy meeting people and feeling good about themselves. Its great for body and mind.
I THINK I read somewhere where some companies reward those who exercise. I know where I am they pay for the astro and have bootcamp at lunchtimes.
O ye of little faith. Of course the government can take credit for this! It was the plan all along. You see, ten years ago, people could afford things like the cinema, tickets for a rugby game, cars, TV’s and food. By completely destroying the economy and driving the unemployment level through the roof, the peasantry are now forced to walk as they can’t afford cars or the petrol to run them, are forced to diet because they can’t afford the food to line their stomachs and are forced to breathe fresh air because the banks took their houses and now they’re homeless! A cunning plan that benefits us all! Now we just have to figure out a way to get the top two percent of the country that have more money than the rest of us put together to get out and start exercising. Maybe if we lined the streets with cocaine, they would happily drag themselves from their mansions. An unpleasant side effect is the 16 to 19 year olds eating burgers and pizza to get themselves ready to emigrate to Murica as soon as they finish school.
I’m gutted that “pocket billiards, Muff diving and Hand-2-gland combat” aren’t recognised sports…
Without doubt best comment ever buddy
Now all we need are companies that pay people for being fit. The economy is fixed hooray!!!
Exercise is up because, unemployment is high and people now have more time and less money. Most exercise is free or relatively inexpensive. So the goverment are taking credit for the uptake in exercise, the banking,mortgage,unemployment crisis was a secret plan by the goverment to get us off our lazy arses. Sneaky