CIMSPA’s Physical Activity Wellness Index considers the number of sport and physical activity professionals, facilities, physical activity rates and anxiety levels in 37 of the largest towns and cities in England. The data, from sources including the Office for National Statistics and EMSI, has been merged and ranked to reveal the physical activity hotspots in England.
The most active places have the most sport and physical activity professionals
The CIMSPA data reveals a positive correlation between the number of sport and physical activity professionals and levels of activity within individual towns and cities. Of the top 10 places with the highest per-capita number of professionals, six also rank in the top 10 for levels of activity (Newcastle upon Tyne, Leeds, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford and York). At the other end of the scale, Slough, with the lowest ranking for physical activity professionals, also has the third lowest levels of physical activity.
Cambridge comes out on top of the overall Wellness Index
The team at CIMSPA analysed reported levels of anxiety within each location, using data from the Office for National Statistics. Merging this data with levels of physical activity and access to professionals and facilities, creates the first ranking of overall physical and mental wellness for England. Cambridge emerges as the top-ranked city, followed by Milton Keynes, York and Oxford. Slough, Leicester and Coventry are at the other end of the index, with some of the lowest levels of physical activity, as well as access to fitness professionals and facilities.
Newcastle upon Tyne is the country’s hotspot for physical activity professionals
The number of sport and physical activity professionals varies widely across England. With over 800 physical activity professionals per 100,000 people, Newcastle is the most well-served location, followed by Milton Keynes (693) and Leeds (686). Slough has just 237 sport and physical activity professionals per 100,000 residents, followed by Hull (284) and Coventry (286).
Milton Keynes ranks most highly for sport and fitness facilities
The CIMSPA data shows that people in Milton Keynes have access to the highest number of sport and fitness facilities, with 63 per 100,000 people. Cambridge (56) and York (51) residents enjoy a high level of facilities. Luton has the lowest number, with just 17 per 100,000 people.
Bristol leads the way in physical activity levels
The data shows that Bristol is the most active city in England, with 74% of adults physically active in 2019/20, followed by Oxford at 73% and Brighton at 72%. At 55% of physically active adults, Wolverhampton has the lowest activity levels, followed by Slough and Bolton, both at 56%.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, said: “Alongside access to local facilities, this data shows the vital importance of sport and physical activity professionals (and volunteers) in enabling more people to become active around England. As we recover from the impact of Covid-19, this is a vital time to invest not only in facilities but also in the professional workforce, in a targeted way. Through Sport England research we also know that people in lower socio-economic groups are less likely to be active. This is why we have just launched ReTrain to Retain to provide training, funding and support for sport and physical professionals, with a particular focus on those working in more deprived areas."
See an interactive version of the CIMSPA Physical Activity Wellness Index
About CIMSPA
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is a professional development body for the sport and physical activity sector, funded by Sport England. CIMSPA helps to nurture talent, develop careers, inspire professionalism and set clear regulatory standards for success, continuing the development of a modern, prosperous and respected sport and physical activity sector.