4156.0 - Sports and Physical Recreation: A Statistical Overview, Australia, 2008 (Edition 1)  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 01/02/2008   
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Contents >> Chapter 3 - Participation >> Chapter 3.3 - Participation in selected sports and physical recreation activities

PARTICIPATION IN SELECTED SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES

A major aim of ABS surveys about sports and physical recreation participation is to find out about the wide range of physical recreation activities that people undertake. This section presents summary information for the top ten sports and physical recreation activities participated in by persons aged 15 years and above.


During the 12 months prior to interview in 2005-06, Walking for exercise attracted the largest number of both male and female participants. However, a much larger percentage of females participated in Walking for exercise than did males (32.8% compared with 16.5%).


Aerobics/fitness, Swimming, Cycling, Tennis and Running were amongst the top ten activities participated in by both males and females. There were, however, some marked differences in participation rates for some of these activities. More females participated in Aerobics/fitness (15.7% compared with 9.4% for males) and Swimming (10.0% compared with 8.0%). On the other hand, more males than females went Cycling (8.8% compared with 3.9% for females) and participated in Running (5.4% compared with 3.1%).


Many more females participated in Netball (4.8 of females) and Yoga (3.1%). Tennis and Bushwalking were activities that were amongst the top ten for both males and females with 4.9% of males and 4.7% of females particpating in tennis, and 3.1% of males and 3.3% of females participating in bushwalking. Conversely, many more males participated in Golf (8.8% of males), Outdoor Cricket (3.9%) and Soccer (3.9%) than females.

3.3 ADULT PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION(a), Selected sports and physical recreation activities - 2005-06

Number
Participation rate
'000
%

MALES
Walking for exercise
1 298.6
16.5
Aerobics/fitness
744.5
9.4
Golf
695.6
8.8
Cycling
691.0
8.8
Swimming
633.3
8.0
Running
425.9
5.4
Tennis
389.5
4.9
Soccer (outdoor)
311.5
3.9
Cricket (outdoor)
309.7
3.9
Bushwalking
248.1
3.1
FEMALES
Walking for exercise
2 659.7
32.8
Aerobics/fitness
1 271.5
15.7
Swimming
814.0
10.0
Netball
387.5
4.8
Tennis
379.4
4.7
Cycling
320.7
3.9
Bush walking
271.4
3.3
Running
255.4
3.1
Yoga
248.7
3.1
Golf
179.9
2.2

(a) Relates to persons aged 15 years and over who participated in physical activities for recreation, exercise or sport as players during the 12 months prior to interview.
Source: Participation in Sport and Physical Activities, Australia, 2005/06 (cat. no. 4177.0).






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