Which personal and social factors affect how much different groups take part in sport, and how can participation be widened?
The factors affecting participation in physical activity (age, gender, disability, ethnicity/culture, socio-economic status, time and access), the groups whose participation is lower, and the strategies used to widen participation.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the factors affecting participation in sport, covering age, gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status and access, the under-represented groups, and the strategies used to widen participation.
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What this dot point is asking
CCEA wants you to explain the factors that affect participation in physical activity, such as age, gender, disability, ethnicity and culture, socio-economic status, time and access, identify the groups whose participation tends to be lower, and describe the strategies used to widen participation. This builds on the barriers idea from the lifestyle module and applies it to whole groups in society.
The factors that affect participation
CCEA expects you to apply these to real groups, not just list them. For example, a single parent on a low income faces time and cost barriers together.
Under-represented groups
Groups whose participation tends to be lower include women and girls (in some sports), disabled people, older adults, some ethnic minority communities, and people of lower socio-economic status. The reasons usually trace back to the factors above: stereotypes, cost, a lack of suitable provision, few role models, or limited access.
Strategies to widen participation
Other strategies include subsidised or free sessions for low-income groups, disability sport clubs and adapted equipment, walking versions of games (such as walking football) for older adults, and school and national schemes that build the habit early.
Examples in context
Example 1. Walking football for older adults. Walking football removes the high-impact, fast-paced barrier that stops many older people playing, while keeping the social and fitness benefits. It is a clear example of targeted provision: changing the activity to suit a group whose participation was low, so more older adults take part.
Example 2. Disability sport and the Paralympics. High-profile events such as the Paralympics provide role models and raise the visibility of disability sport, while clubs offering adapted equipment and accessible facilities remove practical barriers. Together, role models and suitable provision widen participation among disabled people, showing how strategies combine.
Try this
Q1. State three factors that can affect participation in sport. [3 marks]
- Cue. Any three of: age, gender, disability, ethnicity/culture, socio-economic status, time, access.
Q2. Explain one strategy to increase participation among disabled people. [2 marks]
- Cue. For example adapted equipment and accessible facilities, or disability sport clubs, removing the practical barriers to taking part.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA 2021 Paper 14 marksIdentify four factors that can affect a person's participation in physical activity.Show worked answer →
One mark for each correctly identified factor.
Age: opportunities and activities change with age, and older or very young people may take part less.
Gender: some sports have lower female participation, often because of stereotypes, media coverage and fewer role models.
Disability: a lack of suitable facilities, equipment or coaching can reduce participation by disabled people.
Socio-economic status: cost of kit, fees and travel can stop people on lower incomes taking part.
Other acceptable factors: ethnicity and culture, time available, access to facilities and transport, and family or peer influence.
Markers reward any four distinct factors clearly identified.
CCEA 2023 Paper 16 marksEvaluate the strategies used to widen participation among under-represented groups in sport.Show worked answer →
Up to four marks for strategies linked to groups, with evaluation for the top band.
Targeted provision: women-only sessions, disability sport clubs and walking versions of games (such as walking football) make activity welcoming and accessible to specific groups.
Removing cost and access barriers: subsidised or free sessions, transport and local facilities help people on lower incomes and in rural areas.
Role models and promotion: visible role models from under-represented groups and positive media coverage inspire participation and challenge stereotypes.
Education and schemes: school programmes and national campaigns build the habit early and raise awareness.
Evaluation: strategies work best when they tackle the specific barrier a group faces and are sustained, because one-off events rarely change long-term habits; combining provision, cost help and role models is most effective.
Markers reward strategies matched to groups and barriers, application, and an evaluative judgement.
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