4177.0 - Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011-12 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/12/2012   
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MEDIA RELEASE
19 December 2012
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
214/2012

Australians keep jogging and running

The number of Australians jogging or running as a sport or recreation has almost doubled since 2005–06, according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication released today.

ABS Director of Culture Recreation and Migrant Statistics, Andrew Middleton said, "the Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation survey showed, running has definitely increased in popularity, we found that nearly eight per cent of Australians 15 years old or over participated in running or jogging in the last 12 months, up from just over four per cent in 2005–06.”

The survey also indicated a decrease in the popularity of swimming and diving.

“Figures for 2011–12 show that eight per cent of Australians over 15 years old have participated in swimming or diving in the last 12 months, this compares to nine per cent in 2005–06.”

Overall 65 per cent of Australians aged 15 and over participated in at least one form of sport or physical recreational activity, walking topped the list as the most popular activity with 24 per cent of Australians walking as a form of exercise.

"Young adults were the most likely to participate in sport and physical recreation,” Mr Middleton said.

“People between the ages of 15 to 17 years had the highest levels of participation at 78 per cent, while people aged 65 and over had the lowest participation rate, 50 per cent.

"Well done to the residents in the Australian Capital Territory, as the highest of all Australian states and territories, with a participation rate of eighty per cent.”

The two most popular sport or physical recreational activities participated in by Australians were walking (24 per cent) and fitness or gym activities (17 per cent).

"The participation rates of men were slightly higher than women, with 66 per cent and 64 per cent respectively.

“About 52 per cent of Australians who participated in sport and physical recreational activities participated 105 times or more during the 12 months prior to interview.

"53 per cent of Australians participated in physical activities that were not formally organised while 27 per cent of participants were involved in organised activities.

"Overall, the most popular facilities used for participating in sport and physical recreational activities were parks and reserves, with 40 per cent of participants using these facilities, " Mr Middleton said.

Further information is available in Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia 2011–12 (cat. no. 4177.0).

Media note: When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.