Why do participation rates differ between groups, and what raises engagement in physical activity?
The factors affecting participation and engagement in physical activity and sport (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic group), the barriers to participation, and the strategies and provision used to raise participation across different groups.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on participation and engagement: the factors affecting participation (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic group), the barriers people face, and the strategies and provision used to raise participation across different groups.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain the factors that affect participation, describe the barriers different groups face, and give the strategies and provision used to raise participation and engagement.
The factors affecting participation
The barriers to participation
Barriers often combine. A teenager from a low-income family may face cost, transport and time barriers at once, which is why a single strategy rarely solves the problem.
Strategies and provision to raise participation
Why this matters
Participation links to the wider socio-cultural picture: commercialisation and the media create the role models and coverage that inspire participation (linking to commercialisation and the media), and regular participation delivers the health and fitness benefits covered elsewhere on this site. Eduqas rewards matching a specific barrier to a sensible strategy and weighing how effective the strategies are.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20194 marksExplain two barriers that might stop a person from a low socio-economic group from participating in sport, and suggest one strategy for each.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 item testing barriers and strategies. Award marks for each barrier with a matched strategy.
Barrier 1 (cost): equipment, club fees and travel can be too expensive. Strategy: free or subsidised sessions, equipment loan schemes, or free use of facilities at off-peak times.
Barrier 2 (lack of facilities or transport): people in deprived areas may have fewer local facilities or no transport to reach them. Strategy: building or funding local community facilities, or providing transport and outreach sessions in the community.
Markers reward two relevant barriers (cost, time, lack of facilities, transport) each with a sensible matched strategy. Other groups (gender, disability) score the same way.
Eduqas 20226 marksDiscuss the factors that affect participation in physical activity, and evaluate how effective strategies have been at raising participation among under-represented groups.Show worked answer →
A 6-mark extended-response item, marked across knowledge, application and judgement, so it needs balance and a conclusion.
Develop the factors: age (younger and older people face different barriers), gender (some sports still seen as gendered, less media coverage of women's sport), ethnicity (cultural and religious factors, stereotyping), disability (access, suitable activities and coaching), and socio-economic group (cost, time, facilities).
Develop the strategies: campaigns to promote women's sport, disability sport provision and pathways, subsidised sessions, more media coverage of role models, and inclusive school PE.
Reach a judgement: strategies have raised participation and visibility in some groups (for example women's football has grown with coverage and role models), but barriers such as cost and stereotyping remain, so progress is real but uneven.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Physical Education C550QS specification — Eduqas (2016)