British School Manila GCSE Physical Education Topic [i] Influences on Your Healthy, Active Lifestyle

The main factors that affect involvement in physical activity The main factors that affect involvement in physical activity These include: These include: People People Image Image Culture Culture Resources Resources Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing Socio-economic Socio-economic Lesson Objectives: After this lesson you should be clear about…

Influences on your healthy, active lifestyle Many factors affect participation in physical activity. Personal circumstances may influence both choice of activity and the extent to which someone takes part. People who enjoy participating while young are more likely to continue to take part as they get older, although their role may change from participant to coach, official or volunteer

1.People Most people’s choice of activity is, to a greater or lesser extent, influenced by others. Who are the people that influence your decisions to get involved and participate in physical activity and sport? Family, peers, role models

1.People - Family Children frequently take part in the same physical activities as their parents They also often follow the same sports and support the same teams

1.People - Peers The influence of the peer group is very important It is much easier to succeed in any activity with the encouragement and support of friends

1.People – Role Models These are people whose actions are emulated by others. They can be a variety of people in different roles Successful sports men and women like David Beckham and Serena Williams are often in the media spotlight and may become role models, inspiring others to take up their sport Being a role model brings with it responsibilities – for example not taking drugs or getting into fights

2.Image - Fashion Many activities require the ‘right’ equipment e.g. you need boots to play football Some brands of sports equipment are very fashionable and expensive – why? Sales of sports equipment and clothing are influenced by the time of year. Sales of tennis equipment increase during Wimbledon whereas more fitness clothing and equipment are sold around New Year

2.Image – Media Coverage The media influences people’s choice of physical activity. Media coverage increases the popularity of some sports The London marathon is an excellent example: many competitors are inspired to take part by watching the race on TV In this case the media has as strong and positive effect

3.Cultural Factors - Disability People with disabilities can take part in many activities. Resources and opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport are increasing and this is evidenced in the success of the GB team in the 2008 Paralympics However more availability is still needed at local level for people with disabilities who are not international athletes

3.Cultural Factors - Age Age can affect performance and may also influence participation in physical activities In most sports it is good to start young, although some competitive events have age restrictions, e.g. you have to be 18 to enter the London marathon. You have to be in your 16 th year to compete as a senior international gymnast

3.Cultural Factors - Age Work and family responsibilities as well as health problems may prevent adults and older people from participating in physical activity

3.Cultural Factors - Gender The idea that some physical activities are more or less exclusively male and others female has more or less disappeared, but some activities still offer one sex more opportunities than the other Example…a boy who loves netball may struggle to find a team, while [arguably] women’s football and cricket are taken less seriously than men’s

3.Cultural Factors - Gender The public perception of an activity can also present problems. Perhaps girls hesitate to play football and rugby because they are depicted as men’s sports by the media?

3.Cultural Factors - Race Taking up a sport or activity may be influenced by your ethnic background Example…they are proportionally fewer black tennis players and golfers than there are football players There have been instances of racist abuse towards black players most notably in football. Paul Ince became the first black person to become a team manager in the English Premier League

4.Resources Availability If people are to take part in physical activity and sport, suitable facilities and resources must be available Location Participation in sport depends on what is locally available. Some places may not have any facilities for some activities

4.Resources Access Facilities need to be easily accessible. If they cannot be reached easily by foot or bike, access by public transport is important. Good parking may also be a consideration Time Facilities need to be available at the right time. This means they should be open in the evening and at weekends, and for students during school holidays. Participants need to make time for training

5.Health & Wellbeing Illness and Health Problems These can affect participation in sport and physical activity. For example, people with asthma may not be able to participate in sports which require a lot of running However many people go to the gym or play a sport they enjoy as a way of staying healthy

6.Socio-economic - Cost Most activities have associated costs-hire of facilities, lessons, equipment, shoes etc. if some people cannot take part their socio-economic status has influenced their involvement

6.Socio-economic - Status This relates to a person’s current situation or position in society – e.g. employed, studying, or looking for work Status can affect participation in physical activity as many people may not have time. Alternatively, status can influence the type of sport a person is involved in or likes to watch