The Issue
Researchers sought to understand what roles sports play in the lives of men, women, and children over the course of the lifespan.
While 25 percent of adults play sports, more men (35%) than women (16%) do. Most girls (70%) and boys (76%) play sports. Sports participation is 15% among low-income adults (less than $25,000 a year) compared to 37% for higher-income adults (more than $75,000 a year).
The top five sports varies: For men it’s golf, basketball, soccer, baseball/softball, football, and running/track. For women: running, baseball/softball, tennis, volleyball, and swimming. For boys: basketball, soccer, football, baseball/softball, swimming, and running/track. For girls: basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer, and running/track.
Among adults, top reasons for playing sports are personal enjoyment (55%) and to improve health, get in shape, or loose weight (23%). Reasons cited for not playing are health-related (50%), lack of time (35%), and lack of interest (22%).
Most parents of middle or high school students encourage their child to play sports and many (26%) hope their child will become a professional athlete.
Half of adults do moderate to vigorous exercise (walking, cardio/aerobic exercise, running/jogging, weight lifting, or biking) on a regular basis, mostly for health reasons (71%).
Conclusion
Understanding people’s attitudes towards sports participation may help shape health in the future.
About the Study
Researchers at the Harvard Opinion Research Program and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in partnership with RWJF and NPR developed this poll as part of an ongoing series of surveys. Interviews were conducted in early 2015 among a nationally representative sample of 2,596 respondents age 18 and older.
NPR is scheduling several stories this week and next, in conjunction with the release of the report, "Sports and Health."
A Forum event at Harvard School of Public Health on July 16 from 12:30- 1:30 p.m. ET—presented in collaboration with RWJF and NPR—will investigate how sports can help keep kids and adults healthy and how programs and policies might encourage more widespread participation, particularly among women and lower-income adults. The following experts will make up the panel:
The RWJF Sports Award recognizes innovative and collaborative approaches to making communities healthier places to live.