Empirical evidence on the association between social support and
physical activity is scarce. In the Health Survey for England, lack of
social support was associated with lower levels of physical activity.11
Higher social support measured as a single index of emotional,
financial and practical support was associated with a higher likelihood
of meeting physical activity guidelines in working-class multi-ethnic
adults.12 In another study, there was a relationship between higher
practical and emotional social support and higher physical activity.13 In
addition, meeting often with family members predicted becoming
physically active in initially sedentary participants.14 In the study by
Kanu et al.,15 an association was found between church-based practical
support and performing some amount of physical activity, but not with
meeting physical activity guidelines. There are also a number of studies
that have shown that physical activity-related social support is associated
with higher levels of physical activity.16–18