Nearly Third of Middle-Aged Britons Traumatized by School PE

Nearly a third of middle-aged Britons remain traumatized by school physical education lessons, with many saying the experiences have deterred them from exercise for decades, according to a new poll commissioned by the charity Age UK.

The survey, conducted by Yonder among 2,385 adults aged 50 to 65, found that 29 percent still feel haunted by their PE classes, while 28 percent report that the lessons put them off sports and physical activity entirely. Common negative memories include being picked last for teams, cited by 40 percent of respondents, and feeling self-conscious about their bodies, also recalled by 40 percent. These experiences, often from 30 to 40 years ago, continue to foster anxiety, with 42 percent of those polled expressing reluctance to join sports groups or classes now.

Age UK estimates that around 4 million people in this age group are affected, contributing to broader inactivity trends. Official figures from Sport England indicate that only 63.7 percent of adults meet the Chief Medical Officer's recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, dropping to 58 percent for those aged 55 and older. The National Health Service...