Physical activity

Physical activity background

Physical activity is defined as ‘any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure’. All movement, whether experienced during work, leisure or for transport to get to and from places, can be defined as physical activity. Moderate intensity physical activity includes activities such as brisk walking and cycling, while vigorous intensity physical activity includes playing football, dancing or swimming.

Why is physical activity important?

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities suggests that regular physical activity has been shown to improve an individual’s physical and mental health. This includes preventing and managing diseases and also a range of conditions such as hypertension, depression, and diabetes. Wider benefits include improved confidence and self-esteem. Increasing physical activity of individuals can also benefit the wider community in a range of ways including:

• Increasing productivity in the workplace
• Improving learning and attainment in schools
• Building stronger communities and increasing social cohesion
• Cost savings for the health and social care system
• Decreasing road congestion and air pollution through active travel such as cycling

More information can be found in the physical activity dashboard and in the resources section below.

What amount of physical activity should individuals be aiming for?

According to national guidelines, from the UK Chief Medical Officer (CMO), children aged 5 to 18 years should be aiming to do an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week. Children who do less than 30 minutes a day are defined as less active, while those that do between 30 and 59 minutes are fairly active. The guidelines include activities that develop movement skills, reduce inactivity and increase muscle and bone strength.

Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 should take part in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. Adults who do less than 30 minutes of moderate activity a week as defined as inactive, while those that do between 30 and 149 minutes are fairly active. The guidelines also include building strength, improving balance, and reducing inactivity.

There is separate guidance for children under 5 years, adults over 65, and people with disabilities.

It is better for people with long term conditions to be physically active. The Benefits outweigh the risks: consensus statement, from the British Medical Journal (BMJ), on the risks of physical activity for people living with long-term conditions states the benefits outweigh the risks. Regular physical activity, in combination with standard medical care, has an important role in the management and prevention of many long-term conditions. 

More information can be found in the physical activity dashboard and in the resources section below.

Southampton strategy

As of March 2022, Southampton has adopted the ‘We Can Be Active Strategy’ in line with Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The aim of this strategy is to ‘inspire and support active lifestyles so we can all be active in a way that suits us with success measured as ‘people who once struggled to be active feeling the positive benefits of increased activity’.

In order to achieve this, it is recognised that the following needs to be achieved:

• Positive early experiences for children and young people
• Opportunities that meet our needs, interests and are accessible and easy to find
• Places and travel routes where we all feel safe and are encouraged to be active
• Support to help us get started or keep moving when we feel that we can’t do it alone
• Bold leaders working together to create happier and healthier communities

The Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) is a partnership of a wide range of stakeholders who are committed to improving physical activity in Southampton. Members come from a variety of backgrounds to deliver an action plan informed by the We Can Be Active Strategy from Southampton City Council. Partners meet quarterly to share information and developments, network, and solve problems together. For more information on the Physical Activity Alliance, please contact publichealth@southampton.gov.uk

More information can be found in the physical activity dashboard and in the resources section below.

Children

Children in Southampton are currently the 2^nd most active among Southampton's 10 Office for National Statistics (ONS) comparators. In the 2022/23 Sports England Active Lives Survey, 53.1% of children and young people aged 5 to 16 years in Southampton were self-reported as being active. This is significantly better than the England average of 47.0%.

The What About YOUth study (2014/15) survey found that when looking specifically at Southampton 15 year olds, the percentage of individuals who were physically active for at least one hour per day for seven days a week was 12.5%, compared with 13.9% in England. It also found that 74.1% of 15 year olds in Southampton were reported to be sedentary for over 7 hours a day, compared with 70.1% for England.

All schools provide 5 to 16 year olds with a minimum of 2 hours weekly physical education, which can be counted towards the physical activity levels outlined by the CMO guidelines. If this was combined with using a more active form of travel such as walking and cycling, many pupils would be well on their way to reaching the recommended physical activity levels.

In the Active Lives Survey conducted by Sport England it was established that Active play (63%), team sports (58%) and active travel (58%) are the most common activities done in the last week across all children and young people nationally. Team sports were much more popular in children aged 7+. Activity levels across England are now back in line with those seen pre-pandemic (2018 to 19) with a 2.6% increase in children who are active and a 2.3% decrease of those children inactive.

More information can be found in the physical activity dashboard and in the resources section below.

Adults

In the 2021/22 Sports England Active Lives Survey 65.9% of adults aged 19 and over, in Southampton, were considered active. This is statistically similar to the England average of 67.3% but is still the third lowest within Southampton’s ONS comparators and the lowest for Southampton’s local neighbours. The trend since 2019/20 is slowly increasing, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is unclear what the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity levels is. In England, the proportion of adults considered active has remained similar over the last five years. 

The proportion of active adults varies across the city from 54.4% in the least active areas to 77.2% in the most active areas. The most active parts of the city are located within the central area, with the exception of Northam which has a slightly lower proportion of active adults. This loosely maps to the least deprived areas of the city, similar to what is seen in national areas, as well as being areas with high student populations.

In Southampton, 95% of the city have access to green space, of at least 2 hectares (just under the size of five football pitches), within 5 minutes walking time, whilst the whole city can access an area of greenspace, with a minimum size of 100 hectares, within a 5km drive. Southampton Common is the nearest area of greenspace, for two-thirds of Southampton’s population and provides access to organised events such as a weekly Parkrun, a children’s play area and cycle paths.

In Southampton, there are 55 parks and 8 Green Flag awards for 5 Central Parks (as a collective award), St James' Park, Portswood Rec, Riverside Park, Freemantle Lake Park, Town Quay Park and new in August 2023 Mayfield Park and Peartree Green. There are over 147 other green spaces and 75 eco areas “managed for wildlife” which cover over 95 hectares. Southampton City Council also maintain over 100 play areas, 24 multi use games areas, 6 Skateparks and 7 Tennis courts and a mini-golf course.

More information can be found in the physical activity dashboard and in the resources section below.

Active travel

One possible way for adults to meet physical activity guidelines is to incorporate walking or cycling as a means of travel into their day. In the 2019/20 Active Lives Adult Survey from Sport England, 22.4% of people aged 16+, walked for travel at least three days a week. Compared to the national average of 15.1%.

In the same survey 1.9% of respondents aged 16+, cycled for travel at least three days a week. Compared with the England average of 2.3%. Cycling Southampton 2017-2027 sets out Southampton City Council’s approach to investing in and realising the vision for cycling between 2017 and 2027. To make cycling treated as a normal form of transport and create a liveable and thriving city. It outlines what work has already been undertaken, develops a policy approach for cycling, and sets out a delivery plan of proposed improvements to the cycle network and initiatives to realise the vision for cycling in Southampton.

More information can be found in the resources section below.