The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi (DCD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), has launched the second Sports and Physical Activity Survey, with the aim of studying community perspectives regarding sports and physical activity. Through the collection of vital information, a comprehensive picture can be drawn in order to set policies that support physical activity in the emirate.

The survey is structured around four main axes, including understanding the participants’ levels of physical activity, their impressions of sporting facilities and events, and exploring general aspirations and perceptions.

This survey is a continuation of the department's efforts to understand patterns of physical activity for various groups of society, in relation to community sports and behaviours. The gathered ideas and vision will effectively contribute to directing and developing initiatives in line with the aspirations and needs of society.

His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD, said: “The first survey received a positive response from various segments of society. Its results were studied and analysed to identify patterns of sports behaviour and physical activities adopted by community members in Abu Dhabi, and to understand their levels of activity and fitness goals.

“At DCD, we are committed to identifying the needs of the community regarding sports lifestyles and physical activity, because it helps us shape the future of sports in the emirate, and enhance levels of physical activity. This ensures that our goals effectively make an impact on the public and nurtures a society that embraces active lifestyles.

“We are dedicated to promoting and raising awareness about the importance of physical activity through scientific methodologies based on data and facts, in order to achieve a society that adopts active lifestyles, also the second round of the survey included the addition of a sub-axis to analyse the physical activity of children, based on the results of the first round of the survey. This allows parents to participate with their children while answering the questionnaire”.

His Execellency Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at ADSC, stressed the importance of launching the second round of the Sports and Physical Activity Survey, as it provides important results that support the government’s efforts to promote an active lifestyle for individuals. He indicated that ADSC and various concerned parties will be able to benefit from the questionnaire’s outputs, statistics and figures while developing and improving policies, procedures, events, and various community occasions, allowing them to achieve the highest levels of quality of life and wellbeing for the community.

Her Excellency Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at ADPHC, said: “The results of this survey, in which the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has participated for the second consecutive year, will contribute to understanding the extent of physical activity in the emirate, as well as the community's knowledge levels and beliefs regarding sports and physical activity and their close connection to health.

“Since the centre is responsible for promoting the public health and preventive health system in the emirate, it will utilise these results to design, implement and evaluate specialised programmes aimed at promoting physical activity with the goal of preventing chronic, resisting infectious diseases, improving mental wellness and engaging stakeholders in achieving its vision toward a healthy and safe society.”

The survey is in line with DCD’s role as the regulator of the social sector in the emirate and supports the mission of the department to promote an active lifestyle for all. Its outputs will contribute to proactively identifying areas for improvement and will facilitate data-driven changes in physical activity policies and programmes, with the aim of enhancing wellbeing and raising the quality of life in society.

To participate in the survey, visit: https://addcd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZ6lViW66qU1BoG, before 4 December 2023.