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Research identifies opportunities for change across government, education, and public health sectors
A new academic report from Abertay University and the University of the West of Scotland has highlighted challenges affecting physical activity in Scotland and calls for changes to the policy and funding landscape.
Getting the inactive active: Barriers to physical activity and potential policy solutions was authored by Dr David Scott from Abertay's Department of Health, Sport and Wellbeing, and Dr David Meir from the University of the West of Scotland as part of a fellowship with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
Based on interviews with 23 stakeholders across government, sport, and public health, the report reveals deep-rooted inequalities and structural challenges that prevent many Scots from engaging in regular physical activity.
Currently, 22% of adults in Scotland do less than 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week - a level linked to increased health risks. Public Health Scotland estimates that over 80% of the 3,000 annual deaths connected to inactivity occur within this group.
The report highlights key challenges such as short-term funding cycles, a disconnect between national policy and local delivery, and inconsistent implementation of physical activity initiatives across Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
These structural issues are seen as major barriers to long-term planning and cultural change. The authors point to a gap between national ambitions and local realities, which undermines efforts to increase participation.
To address these challenges, the report sets out a series of recommendations aimed at improving access and reducing inequality in sport and physical activity. Key proposals include increased investment in programmes across the public and third sectors, alongside the development of a national strategy for community sport.
Volunteers, who remain the backbone of delivery, would receive greater support to sustain and grow their contribution.
A national social prescribing framework is also recommended to promote early intervention and prevention, integrating physical activity into health and social care pathways.
The establishment of a robust evidence base - with consistent monitoring and evaluation across the sector - is seen as essential to track progress and inform future policy.
Dr David Scott said:
This report highlights the persistent structural challenges that continue to limit participation in physical activity across Scotland - from short-term funding cycles to the disconnect between national policy and local delivery. Addressing these issues requires more than good intentions; it demands coordinated, long-term action. We hope the findings spark honest and constructive conversations that lead to meaningful reform. Real progress will depend on collaboration across government, sport, physical activity practitioners and academia to deliver inclusive, sustainable and impactful change—and to help Scotland become a more active nation.
The report also calls for better utilisation of the school estate. While there are strong local examples of schools acting as community hubs, the school estate remains underutilised from a national perspective. The report calls for clearer policy direction to build on existing successes and drive more consistent, widespread use of school facilities across the country.
Further to this requirement the report also highlights (1) the importance of the current curriculum reform for creating opportunities to embed physical activity from early education and, (2) the importance of developing teacher knowledge, confidence, and experience in delivering physical activity and physical education in primary schools.
Dr David Meir from the Division of Sport and Exercise at University of the West of Scotland said:
This research has confirmed that there are many individuals and organisations undertaking amazing work in sport, physical activity and education within Scotland. There is also an understanding that when it comes to physical activity Scotland has excellent policy. In too many instances however, opportunity is limited by the challenges of funding and resource required for successful policy enactment and sustained development within practice. The recommendations within the report are extensive across both policy enactment and development. In accepting these recommendations, it is hoped that parties across the political landscape will develop specific and achievable objectives for sport and physical activity in their upcoming election manifestos.
Access the full report on the Scottish Parliament’s digital publications portal
