Survey Seeks to Understand Residents’ Fitness Habits and Promote Better Quality of Life.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), in partnership with the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, has launched the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sports and Physical Activity Survey 2026 to evaluate residents’ participation in sports and their overall physical activity levels.
The initiative seeks to gather detailed information about exercise routines, fitness habits and physical activity patterns among people of different age groups across the emirate.
The findings will provide valuable insights into residents’ lifestyles and help authorities develop programmes aimed at improving public health and overall quality of life.
The survey targets a broad range of community members, including schoolchildren, teenagers, young adults, working professionals and senior citizens.
Information collected through the initiative will support the development of strategies that encourage healthier living, increase participation in recreational sports and make regular physical activity more accessible to residents.
The programme also highlights Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creating healthier cities and more active communities by connecting urban development strategies with public health and well-being objectives.
As part of these efforts, the emirate is focusing on improving sports infrastructure, recreational spaces and community facilities that make it easier for people to incorporate exercise into their everyday lives.
Survey to Evaluate Residents’ Exercise Habits and Activity Levels
The survey gathers information about how frequently residents participate in sports and other physical activities.
Participants are asked about the number of days they engage in physical activity for periods of up to 60 minutes per day, how often they take part in sporting activities during a typical month and the average amount of time they dedicate to exercise each week.
The responses will help authorities better understand existing fitness patterns and identify opportunities to encourage greater physical activity across different sections of the community.
The survey also explores the different forms of physical activity residents participate in and evaluates their intensity, classifying them into light, moderate and vigorous exercise.
Additionally, it examines how much time individuals spend sitting or performing sedentary activities, including using mobile phones, computers and other screens.
The information collected will help authorities gain a clearer understanding of residents’ daily routines and the balance between physical activity and inactive behaviour.
Survey Covers Students’ Physical Activities and Sports-Related Expenses
For school students, the survey includes questions about participation in outdoor games, organised sports, walking to school and physical education lessons.
It also considers activities such as running, cycling and playing football to understand how exercise is incorporated into students’ school schedules and everyday routines.
For adults and other age groups, the questionnaire examines physical activity undertaken during working hours, along with activities performed at home.
These include household responsibilities such as cleaning and gardening, as well as recreational exercise and participation in organised sporting events.
The survey also collects information about residents’ monthly expenditure on sports and fitness-related activities.
This includes spending on sports equipment, gym and recreational facility memberships, coaching sessions and training programmes.
By analysing these expenses, authorities aim to better understand participation trends, fitness preferences and the financial commitments associated with maintaining an active lifestyle.
Expanding Sports Infrastructure to Promote Active Lifestyles
The survey forms part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport’s broader efforts to improve public infrastructure and make sports and physical activities more convenient and accessible for residents.
These initiatives include the development and enhancement of public parks, landscaped green spaces, recreational areas and dedicated sports facilities throughout the emirate.
The department is also focusing on expanding pedestrian pathways, jogging tracks and cycling routes to encourage residents to engage in regular outdoor exercise.
In addition, DMT aims to integrate fitness and recreational opportunities into future urban planning and development projects.
By providing accessible exercise facilities within residential neighbourhoods, the department seeks to make physical activity a natural part of everyday life while supporting healthier and more active communities across Abu Dhabi.
Developing Safe and Accessible Recreational Spaces for Families and Children
The survey findings will help authorities identify opportunities to improve public parks, recreational areas and community facilities, encouraging people of all ages to participate in sports and maintain active lifestyles.
These initiatives also aim to create family-friendly urban environments that cater to the needs of children, adults and senior citizens by providing safe, convenient and accessible spaces for walking, outdoor recreation and regular exercise.
By expanding such facilities, Abu Dhabi seeks to promote better physical and mental health while encouraging stronger social connections and greater community engagement.
These improvements are expected to support healthier neighbourhoods where residents can enjoy recreational activities, spend quality time with their families and interact more frequently with others in their communities.
