Only 18 per cent of Ireland’s secondary school students are getting the recommended daily amount of physical activity, according to new research from the University of Limerick. The data, drawn from more than 20,000 post-primary students across the country, shines a stark light on the barriers young people face in staying active—and the urgent need for change in schools and communities alike.
The Active School Flag Post-Primary (ASFPP) Student Survey Report 2024, which forms part of a pilot project in 42 schools, reveals a troubling landscape: just one in five junior cycle students manages an hour of moderate to vigorous activity daily. Among senior cycle students, that figure drops to a mere 14 per cent. The gender gap is even more pronounced, with only 12 per cent of girls meeting daily activity guidelines, compared to 24 per cent of boys.
Researchers found that the reasons behind this inactivity are as diverse as they are persistent. Academic pressure looms large, with 70 per cent of students naming it a top barrier to exercise. Homework and exam stress also take their toll, cited by 62 per cent as obstacles to participating in community sports and activities. And then there’s the ticking clock: 80 per cent of students say lunchtime simply isn’t long enough to squeeze in meaningful physical activity.
Uniform discomfort is another hurdle, especially for girls. According to the survey, 58 per cent of students dislike exercising in their school uniforms, with a striking 66 per cent of girls reporting this as a significant issue. Cost is a further challenge, as 36 per cent of students say that physical activity options in their local communities are too expensive. Social factors matter, too—nearly half of girls (48 per cent) and 40 per cent of boys report that self-consciousness and a lack of friends participating keep them on the sidelines.
Students aren’t just identifying problems—they’re proposing solutions. Many called for more inclusive activities, better promotion of sports and exercise opportunities, and improved access to facilities. The message is clear: young people want to move more, but they need support to do so.
The ASFPP initiative, developed by the University of Limerick in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, aims to address these challenges head-on. The program supports schools in maximizing opportunities for students and staff to be physically active during the school day, complementing the existing Physical Education (PE) curriculum. Its motto—‘More Schools. More Active. More Often.’—reflects its ambitious goals.
Professor Catherine Woods, of UL’s Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and Director of the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, emphasized the value of the new data. "This data provides an opportunity for multiple Government departments, agencies and organisations to understand and learn from the students themselves how to address the complex problem of inactivity in this age group," she explained. The findings, Woods noted, could help shape policies and interventions that truly respond to students’ lived experiences.
The ASF initiative isn’t new to Ireland’s education landscape. It has been running successfully in primary schools for over 15 years, but the move into post-primary settings marks a significant milestone. The pilot program’s results are already encouraging: students involved in the ASFPP reported daily moderate to vigorous activity rates 6 per cent higher than the national average.
Dr Kwok Ng, also of UL’s Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, highlighted the importance of the survey’s scale and detail. "This is the first time we have been able to get data from around 20,000 students in post-primary schools. These students shared their individual physical activity behaviours, active transport to and from school, as well as information about their participation in the community, barriers and their ideas for what they would like to see in the future," he said.
Dr Ng also pointed out the practical implications of the findings: "There are take-home messages for each of the relevant departments to promote physical activity in schools, during the school day, and beyond and in the community." The hope is that by listening to students and understanding their unique challenges, policymakers and educators can create environments where physical activity is not just encouraged, but truly accessible to all.
The ASF programme’s ethos-building approach is another key takeaway. According to the research, the initiative helps schools foster a culture of activity that includes not just students, but staff, management, and the wider community. This holistic strategy is seen as essential for making lasting change.
The Irish government is taking notice. The findings of the ASFPP Student Survey Report have informed the 2025 Programme for Government, with plans to expand the initiative even further. Starting in September 2026, 50 new post-primary schools are set to join the Active School Flag Post-Primary programme, a move that researchers and advocates hope will boost activity levels and improve health outcomes for thousands more students.
But the road ahead is not without its twists and turns. The barriers identified by students—academic demands, short lunchtimes, uncomfortable uniforms, high costs, and social anxieties—won’t disappear overnight. Addressing them will require concerted effort from schools, families, communities, and policymakers alike. Some suggest that simple changes, like offering more flexible uniform policies or extending lunch breaks, could make a world of difference. Others point to the need for increased investment in affordable community sports facilities and targeted programs that encourage participation among girls and other underrepresented groups.
What’s clear is that the stakes are high. Regular physical activity is linked to better physical and mental health, improved academic performance, and stronger social connections. When young people miss out, the consequences can ripple far beyond the school gates.
Still, there is reason for optimism. The ASFPP’s early successes, combined with the government’s commitment to expansion, suggest that Ireland is taking meaningful steps toward a more active, healthier future for its youth. As Professor Woods put it, "This data provides an opportunity"—one that, if seized, could transform not only schools, but entire communities.
For now, students’ voices ring out clearly: they want to be more active, and they’re ready to help shape the solutions. It’s up to the rest of us to listen—and to act.
