Entitled ‘Engaging Children and Young People in Physical Activity’ the report, commissioned by Precor and written by ukactive, highlights the importance of physical activity and its numerous benefits on children and young people’s health, development and wellbeing. It also provides guidance for anyone aiming to get children more active, more often.

Using recommendations from children’s activity specialists and case studies, the report gives an overall picture of the current state of affairs. It also aims to help collaboration between all sectors, including schools, local communities and activity providers, in order to make physical activity a priority for every child, in the hope of generating behavioural change in early years.

The report covers challenges and recommendations for different key groups such as girls, boys, children suffering from obesity and disabled children. These key groups are crucial in recognising the importance of delivering activity programmes that are not only inclusive but that meet the needs of each group. The paper states the main challenges for each group and provides suggestions on how to tackle the issues present.

Packed with examples of case studies, the report delves into how traditional outdoor games can disengage less active children and looks at how vigorous physical activity and notably cardiovascular and fitness activities are the most likely to produce health and cognitive benefits.

It recommends that schools should take into consideration children’s different fitness levels to make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate in a physical activity during the school day.