4147.4.55.001 - Culture and Recreation News, Mar 2011  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/03/2011   
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PARTICIPATION IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION


Latest survey results released

Nearly two thirds (64%) of Australians participated in at least one sport or physical recreation activity in 2009-10 according to the results of the latest ABS survey of Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation (cat. no. 4177.0) released in December 2010.

The survey found that men and women had similar rates of participation (65% and 63% respectively) while people in the younger age groups were more likely to participate than those in the older age groups, with 79% of people aged 15 to 17 years having participated in the 12 months prior to interview compared with only 48% of people who were aged 65 years and over.

Most people who participated (36%) reported having participated in only one sport or physical recreation activity, while 17% participated in two activities and only 11% participated in three or more activities.

The three most popular activities were walking for exercise (23%), aerobics, fitness and going to the gym (14%) and swimming and/or diving (7%). Walking for exercise was also found to be the most popular activity when the survey was last conducted in 2005-06.

The 2009-10 ABS survey of Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation collected data about adults' (people aged 15 years and over) frequency and duration of participation in sport and physical recreation, the most popular sports and physical recreation activities and the types of facilities used.

Further information about the survey and additional data are available on the ABS website either by clicking on the link above or by going to the Culture and Recreation Topics @ a Glance page.