New research from Age UK reveals lack of confidence and self-perception are holding many 50–65 year-olds back from group activities and team sports

• 24% (1.8 million) of people aged 55-64 in England are physically inactive
  
  
• Only a quarter (23%) of people over 50 said that their GP had spoken to them about physical activity

• 45% (6.3 million) agreed they would feel happier about taking up a team sport or group activity if the focus was on fun, inclusion and enjoyment rather than ability and competition

• 50% (7 million) say having someone to go with would make it easier for them to join

As the nation gears up for a summer of sport with Wimbledon and the World Cup just weeks away, Age UK reveals new data, as part of its Act Now, Age Better campaign, showing that even though the health and wellbeing benefits of team sports and group activities are well known, confidence and self-perception are holding many people in midlife back from taking part.

Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign, which brings together more than 50 sporting partners, including Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England, EFL in the Community, Commonwealth Games Team England, to encourage mid-lifers to get active, is now entering its second phase and launching ‘Team Age Better’.

Team Age Better is a different type of national team, made up of everyday people who are actively adding years to their life through movement and activity. Not elite. Not perfect. Just regularly showing up. At Age UK, we would love you to nominate the Team Age Better member in your life, someone who just keeps on moving!

With the UK’s ageing population, alongside a declining healthy life expectancy^[i] and increasing pressure on the NHS, staying active in midlife has never been more important.

However, Sport England’s Active Lives survey shows a quarter (24%; equivalent to 1.8 million) of people aged 55-64 in England are physically inactive (they do less than 30 mins a week of physical activity)^[ii]

Age UK’s latest research adds to the growing evidence that shows people from the UK aged 50-65 report positive benefits after taking part in exercise classes, group activities or team sports. Of those surveyed:

• 23% (equivalent to 3.2 million) said they felt healthier
• 20% (equivalent to 2.8 million) felt happy
• 20% (equivalent to 2.8 million) said they felt motivated to take part again

NICE’s Independent Clinical Experts and Age UK believe that simple steps taken in our 50s and 60s can deliver major benefits later in life. Becoming more physically active or joining team activities can reduce the risk of long-term health conditions and frailty, improve mobility, boost mental health and help maintain independence.

The importance of physical exercise and its role in preventing onset of dementia, disability and frailty in later life was prioritised by NICE in 2015. In its guidelines on midlife approaches to reduce the risk of dementia, disability and frailty, it made a number of key recommendations aimed at commissioners, mangers and practitioners with public health as their remit^[iii].  One of which is being more active, along with having a healthy diet, losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.

However, there is little evidence these have been adopted in any meaningful sense. Age UK’s own recent polling showed only 23%, a quarter, of people over 50 said that their GP had spoken to them about physical activity^[iv] despite being a key recommendation of NICE.

Confidence and fear of judgement remain major barriers
Sadly, the research shows that concerns about ability and belonging are widespread among 50–65-year-olds:

• Over a third (36%, equivalent to 5.1 million) worry they will not be good enough at the team sport or group activity. Women are more likely to feel this way (44%) than men (26%)
• A similar proportion (34%, equivalent to 4.8 million) worry about not fitting in because of their age. Again, women are more likely to feel this way (39%) than men (28%)

The survey also revealed a high percentage of people in this age group agreed that social factors and how competitive the environment they are playing in, are key to their participation in team sports or group activities.

Non-competitive environments and having support
When thinking about team sports or group activities, certain circumstances may make it easier to join:

• Half (50%, equivalent to 7 million) agreed having someone to go with would make it easier to join a team sport or group activity. This is similar for both men and women with 52% of women compared with 48% of men agreeing

• Half (51%, equivalent to 7.2 million) agreed they would prefer a noncompetitive environment. 62% of women agreed with this, compared with 38% of men

Putting fun, inclusion and enjoyment first
Nearly half in this age group would feel happier about taking up a team sport or group activity if there was less focus on competitiveness and how good they were at it:

• Overall, nearly half (45%, equivalent to 6.3 million) agreed they would feel happier about taking up a team sport or group activity if the focus was on fun, inclusion and enjoyment rather than ability and competition

• 48% of women agreed, compared with 42% of men

Low-pressure, inclusive formats could unlock participation

• More than a third (37%, equivalent to 5.2 million) said they would feel more comfortable in a low-pressure environment such as walking football or social netball.
• Women (39%) were similarly likely to agree with this to men (36%). 

Experiences of age-related discrimination

A minority (8%, equivalent to 1.1 million) feel they have experienced age-related discrimination or bias while taking part in group activities or team sports. This was experienced equally between both men and women (both 8%).

Age UK says it is vital to challenge outdated perceptions about age and physical activity and ensure that opportunities to take part in team sports and group activities are genuinely inclusive.

A clear opportunity to get more people active

Age UK’s earlier Act Now, Age Better findings show that mid‑lifers face multiple barriers to physical activity - from health concerns and fear of injury to lack of time and cost pressures. Many are part of the “sandwich generation”, balancing care for children and ageing parents, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.

Paul Farmer, CEO of Age UK, said: “By focusing on fun, inclusivity and removing the pressure to perform, we can help people overcome concerns about ability or fitting in. The result is not just improved physical health, but greater confidence, connection and overall wellbeing.

“Age UK would like to see all adults aged 50 and older start preparing for their health in later life as they would prepare financially with a pension. The message is clear: it’s never too late to make meaningful changes. By incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines, or joining a team sport or group activity, individuals can secure a healthier, happier and more independent future.”

Sir Geoff Hurst famously scored the hat-trick that led the England squad to victory against Germany 60 years ago at Wembley in 1966. Sir Hurst said: “At 85 I am still working and headlining speaking tours, which I have done for the last 10 years. I try to keep physically and mentally fit, and I am a huge supporter of the benefits of physical exercise, after the loss of many of my 1966 team mates to dementia. Four mornings a week I go for 30-minute walk through the park, before doing a 20-minute Joe Wicks workout at home (on alternate days). This daily exercise regime keeps me feeling far younger than my years, and mentally sharp too. Anyone of any age can reap the benefits of physical activity and moving more and even joining a team and making new connections.”

British tennis star Katie Boulter, four-time WTA title-winner and Age UK ambassador, said:  “It was always my dream to become a pro-tennis player and to achieve that goal, walking out onto Centre Court for the first time, was incredible – it was such a proud moment for me and my grandparents which I’ll never forget. 

 I’ve always enjoyed sports and keeping active, but my training leading up to Wimbledon is rigorous, both on and off the court. Away from tennis, I love my daily gym sessions including strength training, as well as running and getting on the bike. I know keeping my routine consistent now, whilst also enjoying a rest day here and there to refresh my mind, will put me in a strong shape as I enter my 30s and beyond!

“Even though reaching Wimbledon won’t be possible for everyone, it’s so important we all remember the huge positive impact that physical movement has on our overall health and wellbeing, which will help to maintain our future fitness levels too, and this is why I’m supporting Age UK’s Act Now Age Better campaign.

“I hope that my time at Wimbledon this summer inspires just one more person to get out there, pick up a racket, or perhaps even return to another team sport they played when they were younger and may have drifted away from!”

Gabby Logan, Sports presenter, podcast host and the voice to Age UK’s Team Age Better Hero film, says: “Keeping fit in midlife is really important to me because if we don’t use it, we lose it. That is one of the best truisms I’ve learnt from my podcast, The Midpoint. All the exercise experts come on and talk about not just exercising but pushing yourself and not slowing down. So, when I do weights, it’s about trying to get stronger – not plateauing – and that’s really important for midlife women in particular because that strength in our bones, joints, and the way we move just means that we’re able to do so many more things for longer. So, I have been pushing the weights a bit more recently and the Pilates so I can keep flexible, but then it means I can go for a run or a bike ride. It’s a holistic thing but it is not about a dress size or whether or not I look good in a pair of trousers, it’s about feeling great and being strong."

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer – supports Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign saying: “We know that making it easy and attractive for people to exercise throughout their lives is one of the most effective ways of maintaining independence in older age. I am delighted that Age UK is building on the success of the Act Now, Age Better campaign to encourage people in midlife to become physically active. Raising awareness of the wide benefits of sport and movement by Age UK and Act Now, Age Better partner organisations is important.”

The Charity is working with over 50 sporting partners, including  Badminton England, British Cycling, British Rowing, EFL in the Community, England Boxing, England Netball, Everyone Active, Lawn Tennis Association, Muslim Sports Foundation, Pickleball England, Rugby Football Union, Ramblers, Sport England, Swim England, Team England - the nation's Commonwealth Games Team and Women in Sport*, to help to bring sport back into people’s lives and help them find an activity that suits their goals and their lifestyle and most importantly something that they enjoy.

Storytellers

Kerry, 51 - “Tennis has genuinely given me purpose again.”

After breast cancer treatment left Kerry isolated, exhausted, and struggling to rebuild her strength, she discovered walking tennis through a local park session. “It was a turning point,” she says. The slower pace gave her a way back into activity when running and swimming felt impossible - and it reconnected her with a sport she’d loved since childhood.

What began as one gentle session quickly grew into something transformative. Walking tennis helped her regain confidence, rebuild her social life, and gradually return to full tennis. Two years on, she now plays competitively, coaches, and runs sessions for women recovering from breast cancer, as well as free community tennis in local parks.

For Kerry, the benefits go far beyond fitness. “It’s the conversations, the laughter, the belonging,” she says. “Tennis gave me purpose again.” She believes staying active in mid‑life is vital - not about being perfect, but about finding something accessible, enjoyable, and social. “Just start. Turn up. Opportunities can open from there.”

Derrick, 62  “the connections you make can be just as important as the exercise.”

After years of letting work and routine take over, Derrick realised in his mid‑40s that his health was slipping. A simple decision to start swimming became the catalyst for a complete lifestyle shift. “I found I loved it,” he says - and that enjoyment helped him naturally cut down on drinking, improve his diet, and build long‑lasting habits.

What began as a few swims a week grew into a full, active routine: gym sessions, table tennis, running, Parkrun, and even discovering new activities like pickleball. Just as important has been the social side. Regular faces at the pool turned into a community, complete with a WhatsApp group and meet‑ups. The same happened with table tennis and his local over‑55s club. “Those small interactions become something bigger,” he says.

Now active five days a week, Derrick sees movement as part of who he is - not a chore. His message for others in midlife is simple: find something you enjoy, start small, and let it grow. “If you enjoy it, you’ll stick with it. And the connections you make can be just as important as the exercise.”

For more information and to find out more go to: www.ageuk.org.uk/act-now

Ends

[i]www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2022to2024#:~:text=1.,began%20in%202011%20to%202013.

[ii] Sport England released data tables based on the 24/25 Active Lives survey,

[iii] https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng16
The NICE guideline includes recommendations on promoting a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of or delay the onset of disability, dementia and frailty by helping people to:

• stop smoking
• be more active
• reduce their alcohol consumption
• improve their diet and,
• lose weight and maintain a healthy weight if necessary.

[iv] Kantar Survey 2025 for Age UK Health Survey was conducted amongst 2665 adults in the UK aged 50+ between 09/09/2025 - 15/09/2025.