Residents in Tendring have reported a substantial drop in inactivity after playing Beat the Street.
More than 10,000 residents in Tendring played Beat the Street this Summer – walking, running and cycling 35,000 miles together.
Players are asked to complete a questionnaire when they register to play. Following completion of the game, participating residents were asked to complete a follow-up survey with results showing a significant decrease in inactivity as a result of playing Beat the Street. Prior to playing Beat the Street, 25% of adult players were classed as inactive – doing 0 to 1 days of physical activity each week. By the end of the game the percentage of ‘inactive’ adults had dropped to just 9% of players.
In addition to the reduction in inactivity, there was a significant increase of adults meeting the Chief Medical Officer Guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise per week from 23% at the start of the game to 48% by the end of Beat the Street.
Other key highlights include:
– 84% of people reported increased walking, 68% increased cycling and 69% reported reduced car use.
– 11% of registered participants had a long-term condition.
– Two fifths of people who usually took the bus or train said they did this less than usual as a result of Beat the Street (40%).
– 92% of registered players said that they would recommend Beat the Street to their friends and family.
– 83% of registered players said that Beat the Street helped them go to different places and 75% said the game helped them learn more about their local area.
Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said; “The Beat the Street initiative saw an unprecedented response this summer and the 16% increase in Tendring residents now participating in some form of physical activity as a result is fantastic and something we’re extremely proud of.
“Inactivity is something we’re working hard to address in Essex and the great work carried out by Active Essex continues to ensure people across the county have opportunities to get active and take part in a sport or activity of their choice, at their chosen level.
“The legacy and positive impact of Beat the Street in just one Essex district has given us a great platform on which to build and expand on across the county, particularly as we continue our work to improve the long-term health of our residents.”
Intelligent Health are delivering the Beat the Street programme in Tendring with funding from Essex County Council and support from Active Essex and Tendring District Council
Following the successful game, the Beat the Street engagement team will be working with local residents, groups and organisations to sustain the high levels of physical activity in Tendring over the coming months
Speaking about the impact of Beat the Street in Tendring, Dr William Bird MBE — CEO and Founder of Intelligent Health — said: “Encouraging communities to get moving has more benefits than any other health intervention with inactivity linked to many long-term conditions.
“By getting thousands of people moving, Beat the Street will have a positive and lasting impact in Tendring tackling the underlying causes of inactivity — including promoting community cohesions, connecting residents to their neighbourhood and strengthening the resilience of the community.”
Lynda McWilliams, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, welcomed the outcomes of the initiative.
“This really is excellent news and we were always sure that Beat the Street would have a significant impact on inactivity in Tendring,” she added: “Now we have the statistics to prove it.”
