The legacy of the Commonwealth Games has been questioned by a leading expert after a major survey found Glasgow 2014 inspired only three per cent of Scots to exercise more.
More than 4,700 adults and 1,700 children who took part in a survey admitted last summer's event did get them more interested in sport and physical activity – but just one per cent actually became more active.
The number of adults meeting guidelines for physical activity levels also dropped slightly during 2014, down one per cent from 64 per cent, according to the Scottish Health Survey.
Professor Mike Weed, professor of applied policy sciences in the Centre for Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research at Canterbury Christ Church University, said the results were 'pretty disappointing' and contained little positive for "anyone who was hoping for evidence of a legacy" from the sporting event.
He added: "What we have here is a set of questions that explicitly ask people if they have made changes as a result of the games and quite unequivocally the answer to that is no."
The survey found the proportion of boys aged two to 15 who take part in sport also declined slightly to 68 per cent, although school-based programmes appear to be making a difference with more children than ever meeting physical activity guidelines when their lessons are taken into account.
It found six per cent of the population became generally more interested in sport and exercise as a result of the games, but for most this hasn't led to lifestyle changes.
Professor Weed described this finding as "reasonably positive" noting changes in attitude usually come before changes in behaviour. He said: "Although five to six per cent seems quite low, if even half of these people went out and increased their physical activity participation that would be the biggest change we have seen for years."
But he added that there is still a big gap between becoming more interested in sport and doing it.
Paul Zealey, head of engagement and legacy for Glasgow 2014, said the event did not set out to double the number people involved in sport, the aim was about more people, being more active, more often.
He described the health survey findings as a "good direction of travel" adding: "We need to review the health impact not in six months or 12 months but over years."
A number of different agencies in Scotland are continuing programmes which encourage people to take up physical activities using funding linked to the games and there is a commitment to look
at the difference the event has made over the next 10 years.
Mr Zealey also said the focus on young people and active schools had contributed to the rising number meeting exercise guidelines.
Councillor Archie Graham, depute leader of Glasgow City Council said: “In Glasgow there is no doubting the positive influence hosting the Commonwealth Games had on the city. We are seeing attendances at our sports facilities at an all-time high, having increased five per cent since last year and 20 per cent since 2009 to 6.6 million. There are also more young sports club members, more coaches and more volunteers working with clubs than ever before."
He added that the latest Glasgow Household Survey found a third of all respondents felt the games had encouraged them to make positive lifestyle changes.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “Evidence from previous major sporting events shows that they are not a panacea for long running social and economic challenges. A population-wide shift in sports participation and activity levels is not an automatic outcome. However, there is evidence of sporting benefits to Scotland one year on from the games, as well cultural, economic and social benefits."
He added that £10m is being invested in 188 projects as part of the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund to embed these benefits.
Mr Hepburn said: "We are on track to deliver 150 Community Sports Hubs right across Scotland, and we are investing £800,000 in our Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund, to encourage activity among some of the least active groups of people.”
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