Who takes part in sport, who does not, and what factors shape participation?
Engagement patterns of different social groups in physical activity and sport, the factors affecting participation (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic group), and strategies to improve participation.
A focused answer to OCR GCSE PE Component 02 on engagement patterns: how participation in sport varies between social groups, the factors that affect participation (age, gender, ethnicity, disability and socio-economic group), the barriers each group faces, and strategies to increase participation.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to describe how participation in sport varies between social groups, explain the factors and barriers that affect participation, and suggest strategies to increase it.
How participation varies
Participation rates differ across groups. For example, men have historically participated more than women in many sports; participation often falls with age; some ethnic groups are under-represented in certain sports; and disabled people and lower-income groups participate less, partly because of the barriers below. Understanding these patterns is the first step to widening participation.
The factors affecting participation
Barriers to participation
Strategies to increase participation
Why engagement patterns matter
Widening participation is a national priority because regular activity improves health and wellbeing (linking to the health, fitness and wellbeing topic) and reduces the costs of inactivity. Governing bodies, schools, local councils and the media all play a part, and the strategies they use are most effective when they target the specific barriers a group faces.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksIdentify two factors that can affect participation in physical activity and explain how each can act as a barrier.Show worked answer →
A Component 02 item. Award one mark for each correct factor and one for a developed barrier.
Choose any two of: gender (some sports are stereotyped as male or female, and there can be unequal media coverage, funding and provision); age (older people may have less time, health limitations or feel that provision is aimed at the young); socio-economic group (the cost of equipment, membership and travel can exclude lower-income groups); ethnicity (cultural expectations, a lack of role models or experiences of discrimination); disability (a lack of accessible facilities, specialist coaching or suitable provision).
Explanation example: cost (socio-economic group) acts as a barrier because equipment, club fees and travel are expensive, so people on lower incomes may be unable to afford to take part.
Markers want two distinct factors and a clear explanation of how each reduces participation.
OCR 20214 marksSuggest two strategies a national governing body could use to increase participation among under-represented groups, and explain how each would work.Show worked answer →
An application item. Award one mark for each strategy and one for the explanation.
Strategies (any two, developed): targeted campaigns (such as a women-and-girls campaign) that use role models and positive images to challenge stereotypes; improving access and provision (accessible facilities, disability sessions, women-only sessions, low-cost or free taster sessions); reducing cost (subsidised membership, equipment loan schemes); increasing media coverage of under-represented groups to provide role models; school and community programmes that introduce the sport early and locally.
Explanation example: a campaign using high-profile female role models can challenge the stereotype that a sport is "for men", encouraging more women and girls to try it.
Markers reward two genuine strategies, each linked to how it removes a barrier for the target group.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Physical Education J587 specification — OCR (2016)