Have Generation Z forgotten the importance of sport?

Generation Z are the next generation after millennials, and are the digital natives that have grown up alongside developing technologies. And as such this generation is defined by their relationship with technology, from BMX to UX. However, this certainly over simplifies the youth of today.

“Besides helping their parents and grandparents on their technological minefields, Gen Z have a different relationship with sport, exercise and fitness when compared to previous generations.” – Showtime Digital

This post will look at Gen Z’s relationship to sport, and question whether they are still interested in it.

Technology

Technology is making many aspects of life easier, and generation Z are used to having instant gratification through this medium. Whether it is gaming or social media, blogging or vlogging, tech is offering more reasons to stay in the home rather than venturing into the outside world. Gaming offers the option of escaping the real world through technology as opposed to escaping through play or adventure – potentially reducing participation in physical activity. In addition to this, according to thewebak, specialists in back pain relief, “lack of exercise and bad posture due to the large amounts of interactivity with technology are some of the leading factors in long term damage and back pain.” Therefore this is another concern that faces Generation Z as they mature into later life.

Dr. Ryan Hosler, a Chiropractic Physician and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Movement Upgraded also has his concerns, stating that ‘children are starting to only engage with through technology. Encouraging sport and activity should not be reliant on technology it can start at home with adequate exposure to physical fitness at a young age. We need to ensure there is a healthy balance between physical activity and the use of technology. We also need to ensure early exposure to physical fitness within the educational system to engrain the importance of physical activity in their lives’

“Contrary to this issue, technology is playing a bigger part in sport than ever before. It is being integrated into professional sports more and more.” – Digital Pigeon The introduction of goal line technology in football is the most recent and relevant example. Technology is proving to better our experiences of sport. Importantly, Gen Z are able to fully embrace this and experience sport in ways that preceding generations could not. Take the adoption of tech by skiers as an example.

Additionally, Dave Mace the Founder and Head Coach of Maximum Potential Calisthenics explains that “with the advent of Instagram and YouTube, technology is actually inspiring Gen Z to be more active than Millennials. Logging your progress and keeping track of your vital statistics has never been easier, with Fitness Watches, Mobile Apps and Digital Scales.Gen Z are playing sports more than ever before, as a Personal Trainer, one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in recent years is the increase in participation from teenagers through to early 20s.”

Emma Iammarino from Sixth City Marketing explains, “with new workout programs, fitness classes, and workout facilities, Generation Z has grown to be “addicted” to exercise and the newest fads with fitness. To fuel this, name brand companies have tailored their technology. The evolution of the Fitbit or Apple Watch have enforced this idea of counting your steps, calories, and looking at your heart rate within your workouts. Also, headphones have been designed as wireless and sweat-proof, almost encouraging activity with your purchase of this new innovation. I think that to keep young people active, technology must keep creating and evolving so that they not only force, but make individuals want to be active.”

Changing communication

The way we socialise has changed dramatically due to technology. Nowadays communication is done online. This also means that leaving the house isn’t a necessary requirement when socialising with friends. Gen Z can be found sat in their rooms playing video games, while speaking on a headset, and video calling other groups of friends. This is modernised socialising and to older generations this would be mind boggling. Before recently, socialising with friends would also require getting out of your house and physically interacting. This simply isn’t the case today. Whereas millennials lived out their childhood, riding bikes, going swimming, kicking a football and walking to friends’ houses, Generation Z can get many of their needs without leaving their bedroom.

Alternatively, social team sports are still very popular. Football is a team sport that really boosts the feeling of being part of a team and working together. Team sports are highly social and football is no different, Additionally, football is the most popular sport among the 16-24 age range. Generation Z are still playing sport in pleasing amounts, and for this age range, the social elements are highly important. They may be able to socialise at home using technology, but sport is also proving to develop essential social skills.

Influencers and role models

“Influencers are today’s role models. They are paid to influence others by wearing certain products, consuming specific food & drink and acting in certain ways. In fact, 75% of those ages 6-17 want to become YouTubers and vloggers.” – I Heart New York

This aspiration to be someone who appears to sit at home and make videos about topics that they feel like discussing certainly doesn’t give young people the get up and go that is required for many occupations. It also certainly doesn’t give anyone the incentive to get out and be active.

Yet, what new technologies do provide is the ability for young people to interact far more closely with their idols. The ability to follow sporting heroes such as 23-time gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps and 20-time grand slam winning tennis player Roger Federer, is likely to influence and encourage engagement in swimming and tennis. Another benefit to bear in mind is celebrities such as Dwayne Johnson and social influencers such as Joe Wicks who really push fitness and offer tips, workouts and eating plans via their social channels. This is yet another option that works against the typical notion that technology is leading to Gen Z becoming less active than their predecessors.

Eugenie Pepper, Counsellor, Coach and Hypnotherapist at Key Mindfulness, says that role models can also come in the form of children’s peers. She says: “I think role models are vital. Learning and watching older kids and watching  sports and dance stars encourage and inspire kids to be the best they can be.

“My kids go to the local public school and despite their love of technology, my kids and their peers seem to be doing more sport than ever. If their peers are doing it, they want to do it too. I think the key is that if they start young, it gives them confidence. The more confident they feel being active, the more they want to do.”

Angela Armitage from Dolphin Kick adds: “I think is so refreshing in my line of work to see so many children and teenagers actively involved in sport. When it comes to getting more school children interested in sport, I feel it is crucial for not only teachers but for parents to be positive and to uphold a level of love of sports and exercise themselves. We see a lot of children taking on triathlons because of the influence of their parents.”

So, Are Generation Z interested in sport?

Quite simply, yes, Gen Z are interested in sport and they are certainly active. They are currently the most active generation. In 2017, those aged 16-24 were by far the most active with 74% participating in over 150+ minutes of physical activity a week. 

Technology encourages activity

Why might this be? Well, technology is providing the ability for children to get active whilst gaming. Pokémon Go was a great example of this. It was proven that those playing the game walked around 1,976 more steps per day when playing the game. This equates to around a mile more per day. Generally players had a boost of around 25 percent in physical activity. Additionally, people are now becoming more influenced by people who they admire. If these people are sporting heroes or influencers interested in sport, fitness and physical activity, then in turn they will become more active.

 

Children are being taught that exercise is important

 

Another reason why this generation are proving to overcome the stereotypes is because there has been a huge focus on the importance of sport, and schools are encouraging physical activity whenever possible. Government incentives and efforts by celebrities such as Jamie Oliver have made it so that young people understand the benefits of physical activity. There is a continual effort to make sport enjoyable for all and this has developed a generation that utilises technology but also has a better understanding of health, fitness and well being than any before it.

Big sporting events

There have been many huge sporting events in recent years. All of these will impact young people and encourage them to try new sports. The London 2012 Olympics was extremely influential in Britain and the fact that it was such a success showed young people that those from their very own country, city or town have been successful in sports across the field. A fantastic follow on from this is in women’s hockey where team GB won gold at Rio 2016. There has been a huge adoption of hockey in young people. 10,000 new hockey clubs started following the Rio Olympic games and since the London games in 2012 the number of young girls playing the sport has doubled.

We  love the fact that more disabled people are taking part in sport than ever before. 43% of those with disabilities are now active with an extra 14% stating that they are fairly active. The fantastic coverage of the Paralympics and disabled sports is sure to be helping to develop the younger generation of disabled athletes.

In much the same way is the success of Team Sky and the British cyclists in the Tour de France in recent years. Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and now Geraint Thomas have inspired young people to get on their bicycle around Britain. Alongside this, women’s sporting events are becoming much bigger and receiving far more coverage. In 2017 4 million people watched England play the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Women’s European championship and 178 million watched throughout the championship. This is certainly encouraging the women of Gen Z to get involved in sport.

New sports

Whether it is new sports or recently popular sports, the new options that are available when it comes to sport are certainly encouraging Generation Z. Running is the activity that people participate in most followed by fitness classes and then gym sessions. This shows a shift in the sporting activities that are available to people today. Other new activities along these lines are HIIT and CrossFit. These are both fitness based but have also made their way into popular culture mainly thanks to influencers, the variety it offers, and the need for making exercise enjoyable.

“Adventure based sports have risen in popularity in recent years. Climbing has become increasingly popular and is fantastic for control, core strength and muscle building.” – Solid Start Property Inspections

Tough mudder style obstacle course events are also popular and a great day out. These range from being suitable for very young participants all the way up to challenging all day events for those trying to push themselves. These sports are becoming more popular and this is because they are outside of the box.

“Offering an alternative type of sport that focuses more on the experience than the score, is proving to appeal much more to younger generations.” – Da Ricardo’s

Osama Saket a qualified and registered Physiotherapist from Ventelite believes “there is a shift in perception of what makes someone lazy and what does not, however the traditional perception of being outside most of the day during teens is certainly lacking. I believe Gen Z will benefit most from recent rise of health awareness and its integration with new technology and take fitness to a new level with more solid scientific evidence and building upon current knowledge in health and fitness which could breed more advanced and tech-based sports, as the study confirms “56% of Gen Z individuals feel that non-traditional sports are more relevant to their generation than traditional sports.””

The discussion surrounding Generation Z and their participation in sport is an interesting one. Much of what you read about Gen Z and sport is usually negative. However, we are seeing that technology is playing a big part in the lives of younger people and is most definitely offering a distraction to being active. However, technology is also improving many sports as well as encouraging participation in sport.

“Setting technology aside, Gen Z are active and are certainly interested in sport.” – QMAX Pumping Solutions

Whether it is due to schools teaching pupils the importance of exercise or role models being more accessible, relatable and therefore inspiring, participation in sport and physical activity is still important to Generation Z.