EFDS responds to All-Party Commission on Physical Activity
The All-Party Commission on physical activity published its findings yesterday (8 April) from a five-month investigation into physical inactivity across the UK. The English Federation of Disability Sport welcomes this All Party commitment to physical activity whilst stressing the need to ensure that the proposed actions benefit disabled people directly.
Their report, Tackling Physical Inactivity – A Coordinated Approach, is based on oral evidence from 49 witnesses from the fields of transport, health, education and sport; as well as 150 written submissions from across the UK from people and organisations from the public, private and third sectors.
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) was one of those key organisations involved in the submission stage. Chris Ratcliffe, EFDS’s Director of Development, presented relevant EFDS insight to the Commission and included evidence from disabled people, who are still half as likely to be active as non-disabled people.
The key conclusion drawn from their findings is that physical inactivity can only be tackled if everyone plays a role – national and local government, public sector bodies, the private sector, third sector organisations and individual citizens.
Commenting on the first report, Barry Horne, EFDS’s Chief Executive, said:
“As a charity dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, we welcome this report as an important step in addressing a crucial issue in our society today. The harsh reality is that disabled people are still much more likely to be inactive than non-disabled people and often face particular barriers which prevent a positive experience. This is why we will play our role in helping the commission throughout the next stages. We are determined to ensure that more disabled people can be “active for life”
The report highlights five areas the Commission feels are vital for action in order to bring this about.
- A National Action Plan – A strong forward-looking plan of action is required to tackle inactivity. This requires support from all the main political parties and an ambitious goal to halt the decline.
- Getting the message out – It is unrealistic to expect significant change unless society as a whole understands why physical activity it important, the consequences of inactivity and the minimum people should be aiming for.
- Designing physical activity back in to everyday life – This requires public services and the private sector working together to plan and build places that encourage physical activity and cultures that will sustain it.
- Making physical activity a lifelong habit – Active children perform better in school and in later life. Fundamental physical literacy must be developed from a young age and consolidated through positive experiences in childhood.
- Proving success – Tackling levels of inactivity effectively is hampered by lack of consistent and regular measurement. To evaluate success data on what activities people are doing, how long for and how often is needed.
