A new study released by charity Youth Sport Trust has found that the gap between girls and boys enjoying PE is widening. According to the charity’s survey, periods and low confidence are the primary causes.
Under 60% of girls in secondary schools said they liked PE, compared to 84% of boys. Not participating in physical education and maintaining a positive attitude towards physical activity negatively affects ongoing physical activity in adulthood. In 2016, girls interest in PE was at 74%.
The Department of Education wants to help girls play more sports, but fewer children are exercising enough. In fact, only 47% of children are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
More than £600m of funding is to be delivered over two academic years for access to better school sport for girls. However, as Ali Oliver, a previous guest of The Drive Phase added:
“There is still more to do”.
Physical activity can be an essential factor in increasing levels of social and emotional wellbeing. Active kids concentrate better, and sports can be combined with academics through programmes like Maths on the Move. To prevent costly obesity-related illnesses, access to school sports and PE should start in childhood for lifelong health.
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