Background
A lack of physical activity can affect people’s health and wellbeing, for example, it can help to explain why some people develop illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. However, the cost of using leisure centres to be physically active may be a particular barrier for people living on low incomes. Offering free or concessionary entrance charges to use municipal facilities such as swimming pools or gyms is one way that local authorities can support people to be active. Supported leisure facilities include swimming pools, gyms and sport facilities that are subsidised by the local authority.
Our research and why it is useful
Limited robust evidence existed about the impact of cost on participation by different socioeconomic groups, or the effect of different concessionary policies on participation.
Pricing policies of local authority supported leisure facilities may include:
- Concessionary charges (e.g. for over 60s)
- Universal and targeted free leisure offers
- Differences in standard entrance charges
- Payment methods (pre-paid membership or pay as you go – PAYG)
- Peak and off peak pricing structure
Many local authorities across the country are reviewing the extent to which they subsidise facilities or are considering whether to invest ring-fenced public health budgets in leisure. This research provides evidence to inform such decisions.
The findings
Following their investigation, the researchers concluded that:
- A universal free offer substantially increased participation in swim and gym activities – particularly in more disadvantaged groups
- Offering free holiday swims for children had a relatively large effects, particularly for those in more deprived areas
- Concessions for those aged 60 and above temporarily delayed the decline in participation at older ages.
- Public experiences – people receiving welfare payments, low wage households and retired people most constrained by price.
- Charges also affected user participation more generally – people often attended at times when charges lower or free where circumstances allowed.
Real-world impact
This research has gone on to inform a number of other resources that have been designed to help inform decision makers. These include:
NIHR Evidence Alert: Free entry for leisure centres may increase physical activity across all social groups
NIHR Evidence – Themed Review: Moving Matters – Interventions To Increase Physical Activity
We understand these resources have been used by local authorities and organisations such as Sport England to help inform their recommendations and decisions.
In addition, by collaborating with practitioners to extract and use attendance data from leisure management systems, the project aimed to build capacity for local evaluation and practice. This includes learning about how routine data can practically support innovative approaches to monitoring and evaluating actions for their health inequalities impact.