I was a kid in the 80s, and I can see how brutal PE lessons put people off sport for life – but you can get into cycling at any age

A recent study by Age UK highlights a worrying trend among people in their 50s and 60s, revealing widespread anxiety about taking up sports such as cycling. Many adults feel particularly uneasy about joining clubs, often due to negative or traumatic experiences during their school physical education (PE) lessons. These early encounters with sport, especially in the 1980s and earlier, left lasting psychological scars that continue to deter individuals from engaging in physical activity later in life. Reflecting on the author’s own school days in the 1980s, PE lessons were often harsh and punitive, with some teachers resorting to physical discipline and humiliating practices. The culture of team sports frequently excluded less physically developed children, who were left out or subjected to ridicule and bullying, both during lessons and in communal changing areas. This hostile environment not only crushed confidence but also created a lasting aversion to sport for many, which has serious implications for lifelong health and fitness. Despite these challenges, the author shares a personal journey of rediscovering sport through cycling in adulthood, which proved transformative. After abandoning sport during their teenage years, they found renewed motivation and improved wellbeing through non-traditional, individual pursuits like road cycling and mountain biking. This experience underscores that it is possible to overcome early negative associations with sport and embrace physical activity at any age, with significant benefits for both mental and physical health. The Age UK research suggests that more needs to be done to support those carrying the psychological burden of past PE trauma, encouraging them to engage in sport without fear or stigma. Promoting inclusive, non-competitive activities like cycling could be key to reversing the trend of inactivity among older adults. Ultimately, fostering positive experiences in sport throughout life is crucial to improving public health and wellbeing across generations.