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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