Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study (CSPPA), 2009-2010

The Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity study (CSPPA) was funded by the Irish Sports Council. It was a unique multi-centre study undertaken by Dublin City University, University of Limerick and University College Cork and brought together expertise from physical education, sport and coaching studies and physical activity for health. Data were collected from children and young people in primary and post-primary schools using a self-complete questionnaire, interview and physical health data (height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure). The primary school questionnaire was issued to pupils in 5th and 6th classes and included questions on physical activity levels, transport and participation in sports clubs and sports in school. The CSPPA Study was conducted in 2009 and was designed as a follow-up survey to the 2005 ‘School Children and Sport in Ireland’ Study, which was carried out on behalf of the Irish Sports Council by the Economic and Social Research Institute. The same methodology was used where possible for both studies, thereby allowing comparisons to be made. The study aims were to: provide a national database of physical activity, physical education and sport participation levels of children and youth in Ireland assess indices of health and fitness in a sub-sample of the target population collect and analyse information on the factors influencing participation provide insight into issues surrounding volunteering in youth sports and activity clubs The information collected will provide guidance to the development of policy in the areas of health, sport, education, transport and the environment all of which have important roles to play in getting Irish children more active more often.