4156.0 - Sports and Physical Recreation: A Statistical Overview, Australia, Oct 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/10/2010   
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Contents >> Time spent on sport and recreation >> Average time spent on sport and recreation

AVERAGE TIME SPENT ON SPORT AND RECREATION

The 2006 TUS found that males spent more time than females participating in most recreation and leisure activities, in particular sport and outdoor activity (25 minutes a day compared with 17 minutes a day).

Between 1997 and 2006 the amount of time males spent on sport and outdoor activity reduced more noticeably than for women (8 minutes less a day for men and 3 minutes less a day for women).

Time spent on sport and outdoor activity (25 minutes) was the second most popular activity for males in 2006 after audio/visual media (154 minutes). For women, however, time spent on sport and outdoor activity (19 minutes) followed audio/visual media (122 minutes); talking and correspondence (36 minutes); reading (25 minutes) and other free time (18 minutes). The category other free time includes activities such as relaxing, playing with pets and thinking.

4.1 Average time spent on free time activities, By sex - 1997 and 2006
1997
2006
Males
Females
Persons
Males
Females
Persons
Minutes per day
Minutes per day
Minutes per day
Minutes per day
Minutes per day
Minutes per day
Socialising
11
11
11
10
10
10
Visiting entertainment venues(a)
5
6
5
4
5
5
Attendance at sports event
2
1
2
2
2
2
Religious activities(b)
4
5
5
4
6
5
Community participation
7
9
8
8
10
9
Associated travel
12
13
13
11
13
12
Social and Community interaction(c)
42
47
45
40
46
43
Sport and outdoor activity
33
20
27
25
17
21
Games, hobbies, arts, crafts
18
15
17
14
12
13
Reading
24
26
25
21
25
23
Audio/visual media
143
118
130
154
122
138
Attendance at recreational courses
1
1
1
-
*1
1
Other free time
23
20
21
23
18
20
Talking and correspondence(d)
27
44
35
24
36
30
Associated travel
11
7
9
6
5
5
Recreation and Leisure(c)
283
254
268
268
237
253
Total free time
328
304
316
308
284
296
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) Includes cultural venues.
(b) Includes ritual ceremonies.
(c) Includes additional activities not separately included.
(d) Includes talking on phone or reading/writing own correspondence.
Source: Time Use on Recreation and Leisure Activities, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4173.0)








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