1 The effects on sport participation in relation to the absence of education Coalter et al. (1994) demonstrated that those who continued their education after the minimum school leaving age had higher rates of sports participation than those who dropped out of school. This statement inspired the author of this review to research and essentially ascertain what implications and constraints occur in an adolescent and adult environment when considering sport participation. 1.1 Benefits achieved by society through exercise and sport The Department of Health (2004) states in a recent report that sport and physical activity can help reduce the chance of developing diseases such as coronary heart disease by up to 50%. , stroke and type II diabetes, furthermore the report states that physical activity can reduce the risk of suffering an early death by around 20 -30%. These staggering statistics demonstrate the powerful impact physical activity can have on tackling health risks in the UK. The health benefits that come from participating in physical activity and sport are enormous, however, health is not the only benefit you get from an active society. Sullivan, C. (1998, cited in Collins and Kay, 2003) found that sport can help encourage the growth of community, family and personal cohesion, as well as helping to reduce the intensity of juvenile delinquency. From the observations made in this paragraph it is possible to suggest that having an active nation will result in a broad spectrum of benefits. 1.2 Current levels of participation in the UK Participation in sport, particularly among adults, is declining rapidly. In the General Household Survey (2002, cited in national statistics) it was found that, excluding walking, only 43% of the population had participated in some form of physical exercise in the four weeks preceding the research interview. It is accepted from recent statistics that attendance rates in the UK do not adhere to the Department of Health's recommended number of five times a week; the author believes this is a troubling reality as there are many health implications resulting from a national neglect of exercise. 2 Obesity levels in the UK suggest declining levels of participation. The following statistic helps describe the current situation regarding obesity levels in the UK. According to The Health Survey for England: Adult Reference Tables (1997, cited in The Department of Health) “Obesity has increased dramatically over the last five years: 17% of men are now obese, up from 13% in 1993, and almost 20% of women are obese today compared to 16% today 1993.