Freezing PE lessons, rainy cross country runs and being picked last for teams can put millions of people off sport for a lifetime, a charity has said.
A poll by Age UK of 2,400 middle-aged adults found that three in ten said “past sports memories” from their school days had put them off exercise “for life”. Nearly half said they used to dread school PE lessons and many had never done sport since then, believing exercise is something “only young people do”.
Two in five adults aged 50 to 65 said they still recall being picked last for teams and a similar proportion said they are troubled by memories of being body-conscious during PE.
The charity has launched a new campaign urging people to take up sports in later life through inclusive classes and activities, as a way to improve physical and mental health in older age.
Health leaders are calling for sports clubs to offer more inclusive options for older adults, such as gym classes specifically targeted at over-50s or more introductory sessions.
The campaign, Act Now, Age Better, has been backed by more than 40 sporting organisations including the Lawn Tennis Association, British Cycling and Sport England.
Age UK has launched a campaign urging people to take up sports in later life through inclusive classesGetty Images
Paul Farmer, chief executive at Age UK, says: “Being active is an investment in your future, like paying into your own physical pension plan … However, our research shows that millions of mid-lifers feel held back by past sports memories. Challenging PE lessons, worries about judgment and feeling self-conscious, can make physical activity feel out of reach.
“But that is all set to change. With Act Now, Age Better … our aim is to create inclusive, enjoyable opportunities that genuinely meet people where they are. Getting moving shouldn’t feel intimidating.”
The poll, by Yonder, found that many people over the age of 50 want to get back into sport. In terms of what would help them be more active, one quarter favoured age-specific classes, and one in five said they were motivated by opportunities to make new friends.
The campaign has been backed by the Olympians Dame Kelly Holmes and Sally Gunnell.
Holmes said: “The benefits of sport and exercise are endless. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional athlete competing on a world stage, or a busy parent who has just managed to carve out a few hours for yourself one evening a week … it can make a world of difference.”
Gunnell added: “Being active has always meant far more to me than medals or podiums. It’s about feeling strong in your body, clear in your mind and connected to the people around you. You don’t have to be an athlete to get moving and it doesn’t have to feel daunting.”