The new website section www.nhs.uk/olympics launches this week with the aim of helping members of the public who want to become more active by give them ideas about which physical activity suits them best.

Users are invited to take a series of questions and tests assessing personality, sporting preferences and reactions. Based on the user’s results, the website then recommends different types of sport to try.
Once a sport is selected, users are then guided to activities going on in their area, with an interactive map featuring links to more than 35,000 sports centres and clubs.

The tool was developed by NHS Choices in association with Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, with input from the British Olympic Association.

Sport and Performance Psychologist, Dr David Fletcher, who led the Loughborough University research on this project, said: “This has been an exciting project to work on with the NHS. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has a reputation for world-leading research and this project helps ensure that this work has a positive and direct impact on wider society and people’s quality of life.

“The London 2012 Games provides a wonderful opportunity for this country. Loughborough University is committed to supporting the delivery of sporting and health improvement that is the desired legacy of the Games for the population of the UK.

The Olympics tool contributes to the Government’s aim of securing a genuine and lasting legacy from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “There is excitement in the air with the Olympics coming and there’s never been a better time for people to get inspired about doing more exercise.

More than 27 million adults in England are not doing enough exercise with 14 million not even managing half an hour of moderate exercise a week. The tool targets people at all fitness levels, so that those who don’t usually work out are introduced to a wide range of sports and activities they can build into everyday life.