Ralph Riley, chief executive of the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM), has welcomed the Chief Medical Officers report – but said it will take more than gardening to get the nation fit.

“There has been a lot made in the media about exercising through hovering or gardening, but there is only so far you can increase your household chores capacity and these activities will have little benefit for anyone other than the most sedentary.

“Physical activity through sport is still the primary means of improving your health through exercise.”

He said the challenge is now to ‘turn the report findings into action’ with local authorities at the forefront of delivering affordable health and fitness services accessible to all. The ISRM wants to see a co-ordinated approach with other sport and health organisations to help combat health problems caused by lack of exercise or participation in sport.

The ISRM represents 3,000 sports and leisure centres across the UK and is currently involved in a drive to use sport to regenerate deprived areas.

A survey by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister found that participation in grass roots community sport is lower in disadvantaged groups.

Though this is not necessarily due to a lack of facilities, the quality, accessibility and affordability of the facilities does play a part in participation.

The unit aims to address these and other barriers to help sport become a tool for renewal in deprived areas.