More than nine million people in the UK have received sports coaching over the past 12 months, according to new research from YouGov.

The study, commissioned by UK Coaching, asked a sample of 20,000 people about their experience of sports coaching, with 18 per cent of adults saying they had received coaching.

Of those people being coached, 82% agreed that the coaching they receive helps to improve their physical health and 71% said it helps to improve their mental health and well-being.

UK coaching has redefined coaching in order to recognise the wider benefits beyond traditional skills involved in sport – including motivation to do better, the pursuit of individual goals, building confidence and self-esteem.

Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, said: “This research clearly demonstrates the positive impact good coaching can have on an individual beyond their skill acquisition and fitness.

“Good coaching is about understanding the motivation of the participant and what they want to achieve. The key to this is ensuring that the coaching workforce is better equipped to further support some of the challenges we face in today’s society.

“UK Coaching’s role, and that of other organisations providing physical activity and sport, is to ensure the people delivering these activities have the right skills and knowledge to help.

“We want to work with coaches and other expert organisations to make sure coaching continues to be able to support people within their communities so that they feel confident and healthy in their everyday lives.”

UK Coaching plans to release more detailed statistics from the research over the next 12 months.