Only 18 per cent of secondary school students getting an hour of exercise a daySarah SlaterGender, age, time, cost and academic pressures are barriers to physical activity for post-primary school students, new data shows. The research shows that only 18 per cent of secondary school students are getting the recommended daily amount of physical activity of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Other findings show that rates drop sharply with age, with 20 per cent of junior cycle students being active daily vs just 14 per cent of senior cycle students. The findings are included in a University of Limerick survey into the physical activity of more than 20,000 students in post-primary schools in Ireland. The Active School Flag Post-Primary (ASFPP) Student Survey Report 2024 was part of a pilot project of the Active School Flag (ASF) initiative, which took place in 42 schools.

Source: Irish Independent December 29, 2025 18:00 UTC