Physical activity and sport

Encouraging people to be more active could help prevent and treat more than 20 chronic diseases, increase life expectancy and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Actions

We are promoting physical activity in Scotland by:

• funding the national agency for sport, sportscotland, providing £30,650,000 from 2017 to 2018
• promoting opportunities for improving people’s health through our 10-year physical activity implementation plan (currently being reviewed)
• ensuring that people continue to benefit from the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games
• evaluating the Commonwealth Games legacy via a final evaluation report and outcome indicators
• getting Scotland walking with a national strategy
• supporting sport in communities and schools
• working with football organisations to ensure the sport is safe, inclusive and helping to strengthen communities
• increasing women and girls engagement in sport and physical activity through the Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board and Sporting Equality Fund

Background

The Scottish Health Survey published in 2016 indicated that 63% of adults and 73% of children in Scotland met the guidelines for Moderate or Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) in 2015.

A lack of physical activity contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths in Scotland and costs the NHS around £91 million per year, so it’s vital that we tackle the issue.

We set targets and monitor levels of physical activity through the Active Scotland Outcomes Framework.

The National Strategic Group for Sport and Physical Activity helps us to identify steps we need to take to achieve the Framework's targets.

Bills and legislation

In 2012 we introduced the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act to help tackle sectarianism and other football-related offences.

Contact

Email: ceu@gov.scot

Telephone: 0300 244 4000

Post:
Scottish Government
Active Scotland
Area 3J North Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ