The health crisis has convinced many French people of the essential role of daily sports practice. A very positive development for their health.
- The proportion of French people playing sports has increased considerably this year (81%, or 17% more compared to 2020.)
- 92% of French people believe that sporting activity should be an integral part of our daily lives, at all ages of life.
A large majority of French people (63%) admit that the Covid-19 epidemic has convinced them of the essential role of sports practice, according to a new survey by the French Federation of Physical Education and Voluntary Gymnastics (FFEPGV) and of the Ipsos polling institute. An evolution which can be explained by the very strong growth of physical activity with the health crisis. Indeed, the proportion of French people doing sports has increased considerably this year (81%, i.e. +17% more compared to 2020) but over much shorter durations (i.e. an average exercise time of 2.9 hours ).
“A real awareness”
“While this health crisis has technically distanced the French from sports practice, it has however brought them closer, by causing a real awareness. The French have strong expectations about the role of sport in the future”, analyzes Patricia Morel, president of the FFEPGV. 62% of French people thus consider that the resumption of physical activities is essential for themselves, and 72% of those questioned think that children should get back to sport.
In this context, the French express strong expectations on the role and image of the sport of tomorrow. 92% believe that sporting activity should be an integral part of our daily lives, at all ages of life. 94% think that mentalities around sport must change, so that it is no longer seen as an unpleasant activity or a chore. Finally, 88% of respondents believe that companies should do more to ensure the well-being of their employees, by carrying out awareness-raising actions and offering sports activities.
75 to 100 minutes of intense physical activity per week
As recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), 30-40 minutes of physical activity a day is needed to offset the adverse health effects of sitting. The WHO recommends, in addition, to do 150 to 300 minutes of moderate sport or at least 75 to 100 minutes of intense physical activity per week. The authority also emphasizes the importance of muscle strengthening which should, ideally, be the subject of at least two weekly sessions.
The health benefits of physical activity are now well documented and its effects demonstrated, regardless of age and sex. It is a major factor in the prevention of the main chronic pathologies (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.), osteoporosis, overweight, growth problems in children or adolescents and mental health problems ( anxiety, depression). Resuming appropriate regular physical activity is also a major element in the treatment of the main chronic pathologies (ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive bronchopathy, obesity, type 2 diabetes, neurological, rheumatic or degenerative diseases, etc.), and allows an improvement in the quality and quantity of sleep.
.