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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Participation patterns & barriers

How often Participation patterns & barriers comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Participation patterns & barriers, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Participation patterns & barriers.

(a)A low-cost way to measure a group's daily activity over a week?
  1. Daily blood tests
  2. Pedometers or activity diaries
  3. A single bleep test at the start
(b)Which is a barrier to participation rather than a support?
  1. Free facilities close to home
  2. Encouraging parents and close friends
  3. Cost of membership and equipment
(c)Irish research on young people usually shows activity levels do what with age?
  1. Fall through the secondary school years
  2. Stay about the same from 12 to 18
  3. Rise steadily all through the teenage years
Show the answers

(a) Pedometers or activity diaries

(b) Cost of membership and equipment

(c) Fall through the secondary school years

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Participation patterns & barriers.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q16, Q17
2024Q2
2023Q13
2022Q18
2021Q12

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Participation patterns & barriers questions

Participation patterns & barriers, 3 marks

Why is peer influence so strong on teenagers' activity?

  1. Friends have no effect on choices
  2. Only parents decide teenagers' activities
  3. They often join or drop out with friends
Show the answer

They often join or drop out with friends

Teenagers value belonging. If friends play, they join; if friends quit, many quit too. Activities with a social side help keep them involved.

Participation patterns & barriers, 2 marks

Why is high screen time a barrier to physical activity?

  1. It raises activity in the evening
  2. It replaces active time with sitting
  3. It improves aerobic fitness
Show the answer

It replaces active time with sitting

Time spent on screens is often sitting time, taken from time that could be spent being active.

Participation patterns & barriers, 3 marks

Why do many older adults take part less in physical activity?

  1. Health issues, fear of injury, fewer options
  2. They have too much energy
  3. Activity is unsafe at any age over 60
Show the answer

Health issues, fear of injury, fewer options

Long-term conditions, fear of falling and a lack of suitable, welcoming activities reduce participation. Tailored classes help overcome these barriers.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q13, Q16
2024Not asked
2023Q4, Q6, Q18
2022Not asked
2021Q4, Q12

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Participation patterns & barriers questions

Participation patterns & barriers, 2 marks

Which is a barrier to taking part in physical activity?

  1. A local sports club nearby
  2. Supportive friends
  3. Lack of time
Show the answer

Lack of time

Common barriers are time, cost, access, confidence and lack of interest. A club nearby and supportive friends make it easier to take part.

Participation patterns & barriers, 2 marks

Which of these is a cost barrier?

  1. Lack of confidence
  2. Expensive club fees and gear
  3. No transport to the venue
Show the answer

Expensive club fees and gear

Cost barriers include fees, equipment and travel costs. Transport is an access barrier and low confidence is a personal barrier.

Participation patterns & barriers, 3 marks

How can a school reduce the barrier of low confidence?

  1. Offer beginner-friendly, non-competitive activities
  2. Only run elite teams with trials
  3. Post everyone's fitness scores on the noticeboard
Show the answer

Offer beginner-friendly, non-competitive activities

Many students avoid activity because they fear being judged. Choice, small groups and activities like yoga, dance or walking let them take part without pressure.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education