Which reminds me - somewhere upstairs I still have my junior school 10 yards Swimming Certificate. Only saying.

Anyway, this research.

It’s a new survey which claims to reveal what our favourite sport says about us.

Some categories, it seems, are not included. Subbuteo - “You like pushing people around.” Orienteering - “You are a Boy Scout. Or should have been.” Hang gliding - “You are a lunatic.” Bungee-jumping - “You are a lunatic – and so is the grinning person pushing you off the cliff.”

(Or maybe, if other recent research is to be believed, your readiness to take risks by bungee-jumping or similar lunacies means you are exhibiting psychopathic tendencies. But don’t worry. This can be a good thing for you. If you find yourself in sole charge of a country, for instance. Or working in the financial sector.)

Anyway, this research.

It has been commissioned as part of the launch of the BHF’s 2015 events series – details at www.bhf.org.uk/eve - which includes over 70 events across the UK and overseas ranging from runs, swims, cycle rides to treks. Enough for any sporting type to find something suitable as they seek to raise money for a worthy cause.

The psychological study, conducted by Mindlab, surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK and has uncovered that the type of sport we choose reveals a lot about our personality traits.

According to the BHF news release: “Our choice of sport can reveal how charitable we are, the type of newspapers we are most likely to read and suggest how we might vote in the next general election.

“The survey also revealed that over half (61 per cent) of UK adults wanted to take on a challenge for charity, whatever their ‘sports personality’ type.”

Dr David Lewis, neuropsychologist and founder of Mindlab, explains: "It has long been known that exercise is not only good for your body, but also your mind. Past research has shown that exercising can act as a mood-enhancer, can be used to treat and possibly even prevent anxiety and generally has a positive effect on mental health. The results from this study show that no matter what kind of person you are, there is the right kind of exercise for everyone."

The results also highlighted the sport of choice for different cities across the UK revealing that cycling comes top of the sports in Birmingham and London. Running “wins the race” in Leeds and Newcastle. Swimming is the sport of choice in Cardiff, Dublin and Manchester and trekking comes top in Bristol, Glasgow, Norwich and Nottingham.

So who are these archetypal “sports personalities”?

Well, swimmers, our survey finds, are the smuggest.

Only joking.

Swimmers, as well as “making the best lovers”, are found to be “charitable” and “tidy”. And also, oddly enough, “happiest”. (As I say. Smuggest.)

Cyclists, our survey said, are “laid back and calm”, are “least likely to be depressed or suffer stress” and are “materialistic.” Oh, and they vote Liberal.

Runners, by contrast, vote Labour. They are extroverts who love being the centre of attention, and they “listen to lively upbeat music.”

What of the other three categories surveyed? I hear you ask.

Well. Walkers - or Trekkers - “like their own company”, are “charitable”, “least materialistic” and “don’t like drawing attention to themselves.”

Those who regularly frequent the Gym – well, they’re just the reverse, it seems. “Extraverted and highly emotionally stable (less likely than others to suffer mood swings)”, they are “one of the happiest groups” and “more likely than other groups to read The Sun.” And most likely to vote Conservative.

Which leaves exponents of Yoga.

They are flexible by nature.

Only joking.

They are “very agreeable and conscientious (organised, find it easy to put themselves into other people’s shoes.”

(As I say. Flexible.)

The latter are also “one of the least materialistic groups” and most likely out of all groups to vote for the – can you guess - yes - Green party.

One or two questions bob up, it has to be said.

Question One. Where does this leave you if you are a triathlete?

One can only assume you are a blissful, generous love god who will presumably vote for a Lib-Lab pact.

Question Two - how did this survey elicit the information that swimmers “make the best lovers”? Surely there couldn’t have been a category where people were asked to rate themselves in this department - could there? And if so, why has the survey not revealed that those in all six groups make the best lovers?

Question Three - What happens if you live in Stornoway? (Not a lot, according to an old friend who used to live there. But he might have been wrong…)