THE people of West Devon are amongst the most physically active in the country according to a huge Europe-wide survey commissioned by Sport England. Just over a quarter of West Devon people (26.2%), who took part in the survey, participate in at least three 30-minute sessions of moderate activity each week. Out of 354 other local authorities across England, West Devon is ranked nationally at 15th and is the highest in Devon and the second highest in the South West region. People of the borough are also keen to help others in sport, with just over 7% volunteering at least one hour a week to a sporting activity. Again, these figures are the highest in Devon where the average for a district or unitary authority is 22% for physical activity and 5.7% for volunteering. The survey was undertaken by Ipsos MORI, on behalf of Sport England, to gauge how active England actually is. Nationally, inactivity is estimated to cost the UK over £8 billion each year. Sport England, working with partners, will target specific groups to improve community sport. A minimum of 1,000 residents were questioned in each local authority area about their sport and active recreation habits. The sample size is more than 20 times larger than the 2002 General Health Survey, the last major survey conducted in sport. The most active age group are those aged 16 to 24 and the survey indicates that perhaps predictably, people tend to become less active as they age. Walking is the most popular activity followed by swimming and going to the gym. Football, athletics — including all forms of running — golf, badminton, tennis and aerobics make up the top ten activities. West Devon Borough Council hosts a 5x30 activity project in the borough which is aimed at encouraging people to participate in five, thirty-minute periods of moderate physical activity each week. 5x30 activators are based in Okehampton and Tavistock and are actively working with community groups and organisations to establish regular activity programmes. Terry Beckett, West Devon's leisure officer, said: 'Whilst the data from the survey is encouraging, we need to study the findings in greater detail to take account of the relevant factors. 'There are real opportunities to engage older residents as no one should accept age as being an automatic barrier to being inactive. 'It is also good to see how committed local people are to volunteering in sport. The big question however is how to motivate and involve the large number of people who experience little or no physical activity.' The 5x30 team can be contacted on 07920 786505 (Tavistock) and 07967 179662 (Okehampton).
