A study conducted by the market research analyst Mintel found that despite competition from other leisure time activities, sport participation continues to be one of the UK’s most popular pastimes.

The report concluded that over the last 10 years there has been a significant shift in British consumers’ attitude towards healthy living.

It revealed that staying fit and maintaining a healthy diet has moved up the list of priorities for many, and appears to have contributed greatly to the trend of increased sport participation.

Research conducted for the report showed that 63% of adults take part in sport on a regular basis.

It also showed that the desire to lose weight in order to improve bodily appearance was a growing motivational factor for those taking part.

The biggest market for fitness activities was found to be women and 25 to 44 year-olds.

The popularity of women’s fitness in particular is apparent in Dundee where the world’s largest fitness franchise recently opened at the City Quay.

American giant Curves International, which has over 9000 locations worldwide, opened a 2000 square foot unit at the retail park in June.

Curves specifically caters for women and offers workouts combined with a weight-loss programme.

A spokeswoman for the club said that business had been “very good” at the Dundee branch since it opened.

She also indicated that Curves expected membership numbers to continue growing as there was a “huge” demand for good fitness facilities among women in the city.

Dundee City Council has also reported a big rise in the number of people taking part in sports and leisure activities offered as part of its Leisure Active scheme.

Visits to the Leisure and Arts department’s sports facilities are up — with almost 50,000 more to the Dundee International Sports Centre and 20,000 to the Olympia Leisure Centre compared to the previous year.

Leisure and Arts convener Councillor Charles Farquhar said, “The city council carries out a lot of work to encourage the people of Dundee to use its excellent sports facilities, and they always respond enthusiastically.

“Dundee is a city where there is a huge amount of participation in sport and keep-fit activities among all ages.”

He added, “The city council’s initiatives like the Leisure Active card scheme have been a great success and there are a number of activity classes and events which are extremely popular.”

Sport is a major contributor to the economy — with the sector being worth two times more in terms of GDP than the entire British agriculture sector.