GCSE PE - Socio-cultural influences (1)-Factors Affecting Participation

• Walking 
• Swimming
• Keep fit (yoga and Zumba)
• Cycling
• Cue sports (snooker and pool)

Age: Adults get less free time than school, perceived lack of fitness and lack of choice. (School-age children have more free time to participate in sport.)

Gender: For perceived male sports such as football and rugby the funding media attention and funding is noticeably better.

Ethnicity, religion or culture: Worship commitments, restrictions of a diet and cultural beliefs may form barriers to participation.

Education: Schools can provide a small or large number of physical activities depending on staff interest and extracurricular commitments. Equally, examination years can cause a decrease in participation due to study commitments.

Time/Work commitments: Full-time work limits time to participate, train or compete in sports.

Discrimination: Treating a person or group of people differently, negatively or positively, due to class, race, ability, disability or gender.

Cost/Disposable income: Gym membership fees, equipment cost and other factors could limit the participation of certain socio-economic groups.

Role models: e.g. Ellie Simmonds, an Olympic medalist disabled swimmer, can increase participation as disabled people may want to take up a sport to try and win an Olympic medal as well.

Promotion: Increases awareness of sporting opportunities, choices and role models. 

Provision: Ensuring that there are appropriate facilities, equipment for people and coaching is available. 

Access: Ensuring that people can actively engage in physical activities and sport.