National campaign targets generation of middle-aged adults who were traumatised by PE lessons – saying it’s vital to start exercise now if you want to enjoy old age
Olympic champions Dame Kelly Holmes and Sally Gunnell are calling on middle aged Brits to exercise as polling shows many are still put off by traumatic PE lessons at school.
Sporting legends are joining a nationwide campaign targeting people aged 50 to 65, saying this is a crucial period for people to be active to enjoy the best possible later life. The poll of 2,400 mid-lifers suggests four million still feeling traumatised by physical education (PE) and were put off exercise and sport for life by lessons 30 or 40 years ago.
The survey showed 40% remember feeling self conscious about their body and 40% saying they were picked last for teams.
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Now sporting figures including TV presenter Gabby Logan and Dame Denise Lewis have joined a campaign to help mid-lifers get past the bad memories, arguing sports groups and classes are now much more inclusive.
Dame Kelly, the 2004 double-Gold winning middle distance runner, said: “The benefits of sport and exercise are endless. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional athlete competing on a world stage, or a busy parent who has just managed to carve out a few hours for yourself one evening a week to head along to your local netball group.
“It’s about self-care, making new connections, feeling team spirit, supporting mental health, getting outside and feeling strong and capable for as long as possible.”
Sally Gunnell, the 1992 Gold-winning 400 metre runner, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to represent Great Britain and experience some incredible highs in my career, but for me, being active has always meant far more to me than medals or podiums. It’s about feeling strong in your body, clear in your mind and connected to the people around you. That feeling doesn’t end when the competitions do – it’s something we all deserve at every stage of life.”
Millions of people aged 50 to 65 are physically inactive. The online survey by Yonder showed 29% – the equivalent of 4.1 million people – “still feel traumatised by school PE lessons”. Some 28%, or four million, said “school PE lessons put me off exercise and sports for life”.
BBC presenter Gabby Logan said: “I exercise because I love it, it gives me a great feeling when I do it, I like being able to play lots of different sports and move well. But I’m also doing it to futureproof myself so that, when I’m in my 70s and 80s, I’m still as active as I can be. My motivation is to be able to play tennis with the grandchildren I haven’t got yet.”
The worrying polling suggests historic teaching practices have caused lasting problems for many adults in Britain. Teaching could be authoritarian, punitive, and highly focused on performance.
Some PE teachers were trained in a military-style approach which emphasised physical toughness over enjoyment. Punishments included running laps for minor infractions. Age UK warns it has contributed to perceptions that exercise is something “only young people do”.
Sally Gunnell added: “You don’t have to be an athlete to get moving and it doesn’t have to feel daunting. It might be getting back into a sport you once loved or trying something completely new.
“I know from my own journey and from being part of a team, that taking that first step is often the hardest, but it’s also the one that changes everything. There are so many options out there from local exercise classes, to badminton and bowls, and cricket to pickleball. A small step today can make a real difference to how you feel tomorrow.”
The polling also suggested 23% would be more likely to get active if there were age specific classes, while 17% if there was an inclusive and welcoming feel. Age UK is offering practical tips to get the most exercise-sceptical moving as well as suggesting sports and group activities.
Paul Farmer, chief executive at Age UK, said: “Being active is an investment in your future, like paying into your own physical pension plan. Our research shows that millions of mid-lifers feel held back by past sports memories.
“Challenging PE lessons, worries about judgement and feeling self-conscious, can make physical activity feel out of reach – and can feel like something ‘only young people do’. Our aim is to create inclusive, enjoyable opportunities that genuinely meet people where they are. Getting moving shouldn’t feel intimidating.”
A host of national organisations are joining Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign to tackle these apprehensive mindsets. They include the English Football League, Badminton England, British Cycling, British Rowing, England Boxing, England Netball, the Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football Union and Sport England.
Other sporting figures and health experts backing the Age UK campaign include swimmer Mark Foster, Sir Muir Grey and Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi. Visit www.ageuk.org.uk/actnow to find out how you could make the first step to getting active.
