Nearly 7 million adults across England participated in sport at least three times a week between October 2008 and October 2009, according to the latest Active People Survey published by Sport England.

The sample period covers the first six months of a four-year funding period, which will see up to £880m government and National Lottery money directed towards national governing bodies to help boost participation in community sports. Active People Survey 3 revealed that six sports are currently meeting their targets for the first year of the funding initiative, with cycling and athletics reporting a combined increase of more than 240,000 weekly participants.

Meanwhile, boxing, table tennis, canoeing and netball are also currently meeting their respective targets. Tennis is also poised to meet its target, following a surge in participation due to the Wimbledon championships. The study suggests that Sport England is edging closer to achieving its target of getting 1 million more people participating in sport by 2012/13 as part of a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympics, after reporting an overall increase 115,000.

However, the current rate of increase suggests that the legacy targets may not be attained, which is currently 365,000 short of the 1 million target. A total of 635,000 more people are now participating in sport since London was awarded the 2012 Games four years ago. Despite being among the four sports that already attract at least one million adults participating once a week, football and swimming both failed to report any growth in participation in the past year, while participation among disabled people and women is also down.

Sport England chair Richard Lewis said: "Six months into a four-year funding period, we're delighted that sports such as athletics and cycling are already delivering substantial growth. "However, the figures clearly show we face challenges on participation among women and disabled people, and Sport England is committed to tackling these, as demonstrated by our allocation of £10m to projects specifically focused on women's sport."

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe added: "We all know that there is still a lot of work to be done. Governing bodies are getting £480m to help drive up participation in 46 sports. They are accountable for that investment of public money and we expect them to deliver increases. "We have provided the money, 2012 the inspiration, and Sport England is now working with the sports to change the whole country's attitude towards being active. They must - and will - succeed."