Statistics Reveal Importance of Swimming for Policy to Increase Physical Activity

Swimming has increased in popularity among younger adults, making it the most common sport and exercise activity among adults in Ireland, according to a new analysis by the ESRI. Almost 7% of adults aged 16 and over swim each week, amounting to roughly 230,000 regular swimmers. The findings, derived from three separate representative surveys and a total of over 70,000 interviews, reveal interesting changes in the patterns of sporting activity across people's lives. While more women swim than men, and the present generation of young adults swims more than their parents' generation did, the appeal of swimming to both genders and to people of all ages means that swimming is more popular overall than soccer, golf or Gaelic games. Most swimmers go to the pool once or twice a week, for half-an-hour to an hour, expending sufficient effort to improve their health and fitness levels. ESRI economist and report author, Dr. Pete Lunn said: “The pattern of results we found suggests that swimming makes an important contribution to public health. Swimming can be undertaken by a broad range of people of different abilities and fitness levels, so the promotion of swimming can play a key role in policy to increase physical activity.”  There is, however, a socio-economic gap in swimming. People with higher educational attainment and those in higher-skilled occupations are more likely to be regular swimmers. The report suggests that policymakers should aim to raise participation among those in lower socio-economic groups. Participation varies by region and is highest in the Border and West regions. Demand for more pools is greatest in the Mideast region, which saw large population increases during the boom. The gender gap in participation is greater among young adults and seems to be linked to motivations. Many young men are interested in competition and performance, which leads them to prefer competitive sports, while young women's participation in sport and exercise is more driven by the desire to improve their health, which leads many to swim. As men age and become more concerned about health, the gender gap narrows. The findings also reveal that the increased involvement of women in sport has knock-on effects for the next generation. People whose mothers were active in sport and exercise when they were children are much more likely to become regular swimmers.

Notes for editors: Swimming in Ireland: A Statistical Analysis, by Dr. Elish Kelly and Dr. Pete Lunn is jointly published by Swim Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and the ESRI. Full copies of the report can be obtained at www.swimireland.ie, www.irishsportscouncil.ie, or www.esri.ie.< Publication of the report coincides with the launch by Swim Ireland of “Swim Healthy”, an initiative to promote recreational swimming countrywide.