outdoors-participation-report-v2

To have fun with friends
• 90% of all participants take part to
have fun and enjoy themselves.
• Simply having fun with friends
is the top motivator for those
under 18 years old.
• 31% of participants first took
part in their main activity with
friends who are already active in
the activity or wanted to try the
activity - second biggest influence
in attracting new participants to
outdoor activity after family.
To enjoy the scenery/
be close to nature
• Research shows that developing a
‘connection’ with nature, such as
enjoyment of scenery and wildlife at
favourite places, becomes the more
important factor in maintaining
levels of physical activity.
• Visits taken by 55 years plus are more
likely than those taken by the rest
of the population to involve walking
without a dog and to be motivated by
enjoyment of scenery and wildlife.
Alternative to traditional sport
• A growing proportion of young people
are choosing ‘lifestyle sports’ as an
alternative to more traditional school
based sports either as a means
of identifying themselves through
recognisable styles, expressions and
attitudes that develop in and around
the activity, or because they have
been alienated from more traditional/
institutionalised sports.
For fresh air and
to enjoy the weather
• 40% of the population would prefer
to take their exercise outdoors,
primarily for the fresh air.
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