Celebrating Somerset’s Record Physical Activity Levels!
The latest Active Lives Adult Survey Report reveals fantastic news for Somerset and the nation. Nationally, physical activity levels are at an all-time high, with 64.6% of adults (30.9 million people) meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of 150+ minutes of moderate activity per week. Much of this improvement is thanks to more older adults getting active. However, we must not lose sight of ongoing inequalities around socio-economic status, gender, geography, disability, long-term health conditions, and ethnicity.
So, what does this mean for Somerset? For the first time in nine years, we’ve seen a significant shift in activity levels locally. This accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering commitment of individuals and organisations throughout the Somerset system since 2015/16 – from community organisations and sports clubs to health and wellbeing professionals – who not only encourage people to be more active but are also working to create environments in which individuals can thrive. SASP would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those making a difference, your efforts are truly having an impact. Although we are still awaiting the detailed Somerset-specific data to examine local inequalities more thoroughly, this represents a significant step forward.
Key Somerset Highlights:
- Activity on the rise: Somerset’s active adult population (150+ minutes/week) climbed to 67.9% in 2024/25 – higher than the England average (64.5%) and in line with the South West (68.8%). This marks a significant increase from our 2015/16 baseline.
- Falling inactivity: Only 20.5% of Somerset adults are now inactive (under 30 minutes/week), down from 24.5% in 2015/16. This rate is lower than the national average (24.7%) and matches the South West trend (20.7%).
Our focus continues in tackling inequalities and supporting those facing the greatest barriers. Let’s keep building on this momentum and continue supporting every resident in Somerset to lead a more active, healthier happier life!
To read the full report from Sport England, click here: England is getting more active but not everyone is benefiting | Sport England