The survey was designed and made available to participants electronically using Qualtrics research software. Eligible participants were adults (aged ≥18 years), permanent residents of the UK, and not living with a chronic health condition which might contraindicate physical activity.
Participants were recruited via social media, including Facebook and Twitter, using a snowballing sampling strategy.   Emails were also sent to various clubs and groups, including running clubs, bootcamps, choirs, amateur dramatic societies and book clubs asking for details of the survey to be shared with members.  Libraries across the UK were sent a copy of the recruitment poster and asked to display it on their notice boards.  The poster was also displayed at various locations around the University of Essex campus.