The data, updated for the first time since 2019, shows a 4.4% rise in sports participation in Tenerife, placing it almost nine points above the national average. This information was presented at a press conference by Lope Afonso, vice-president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, and Yolanda Moliné, sports councillor.
Despite the overall increase, the study also reveals that only 45.8% of residents meet the 150 minutes of weekly physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), although this represents a 3.8% improvement compared to 2019. A gender gap persists, with 50.4% of men being active compared to 40.9% of women.
Among the key findings, there is a progressive decrease in sports participation with age, with differences of up to 20% between age groups. The most common frequency of exercise is two to three days per week (35.3%), while less frequent activities have declined over the past six years.
“"These types of studies are fundamental and lay the groundwork for designing island-wide sports plans. They allow us to confirm that Tenerife is a more active island."
Regarding health, 59% of the population rates their health as good, and overweight rates have decreased by ten percentage points since 2019, reaching 37%. Obesity remains stable at around 15%. Practice habits have also evolved, with a 26% increase in the use of private facilities and a reduction of over 20% in the preference for urban and natural environments.
The most popular activities include gym training (26.1%), walking (12.1%), and running (7.5%). Health (31%) and enjoyment (19.5%) are the main motivators, while lack of time and willpower remain the most common barriers. The average annual expenditure per person in the sports sector is 754.97 euros, with most of it allocated to sports facilities. Additionally, 58.5% of athletes use technology, such as mobile phones and sports watches, an increase of 31.9% since 2019.
