Women who play sport are more likely to progress to senior management roles at work, according to a new study.

Presented by equality body Women in Sport, alongside sponsor Investec, the Sport for Success report revealed that of women who play sport recreationally, 45 per cent are in management roles.

According to the study 77 per cent of managers play sport to some extent, while of the women who did not play sport less than a third (30 per cent) were in management roles.

The correlation between playing sport and career progression was more prominent among younger women, with those aged between 16 and 24 more likely to be in management roles if they engaged with sport at least once a week.

Results found by the report tally with a YouGov survey of 1,000 female business leaders, which found almost half (48 per cent) played sport or exercised at least once a month.

A link was also found between playing sport and higher educational achievement. Of women who play sport three or more times a week 48 per cent have a degree, while of the women who play no sport 24 per cent had achieved a university degree.

“For years on from London 2012, it’s never been more important to address the huge gender gap that still persists between the participation of men and women; boys and girls,” said Women in Sport chief executive Ruth Holdaway.

“This report presents the case for women and girls’ participation in sport, and the impact this will have though the less documented socio-economic benefits that sport brings, from educational attainment through to career progression.”