Examining the relationship between sport and health among USA women: An analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

BackgroundResearch has been conducted linking sports participation and health in childhood and adolescence; however, little is known about the contribution of sport to women's health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport and women's health in the USA by analyzing data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).MethodsThis study was a secondary data analysis of the 2013 national BRFSS survey. Unlike the BRFSS core component from previous years, in 2013, participants were questioned extensively about their physical activity behaviors. Seventy-six different activities were identified by the participants. Two researchers categorized the 76 activities as sport, conditioning exercise, recreation, or household tasks based on previously identified categories. Logistic regression was utilized to calculate odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios for chronic diseases based on physical activity category.ResultsWomen who participated in sport had better health outcomes with significantly lower odds for all chronic diseases except asthma and better general health than women who participated in conditioning exercise, household tasks, or recreation, and many of the significant differences remained after controlling for demographic characteristics.ConclusionSport participation was associated with more positive health outcomes among women in the USA compared with the other categories. As a means to improve health of women, the USA could focus on efforts to increase sport participation among women.

The Relationship between Sport Participation and Chronic Diseases among Men in the USA: An Examination of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

“…We employed a similar methodology to our study of the health benefits of sport for women in the USA which utilized 2013 data [ 16 ].…”

“…Two researchers, one with a background in sport and one with a background in PA, had previously reviewed the 76 different activities and independently placed them into 4 predetermined leisure time PA categories of: sport, conditioning exercise, household tasks, and recreation ( Table 1 ) [ 16 ]. The 4 categories were a modification of the 4 categories provided and described by Caspersen et al, which included: sport, conditioning exercise, household tasks, and other [ 17 ].…”

“…PA can occur in multiple forms and can be separated into categories including sport, conditioning exercise, recreation, and household tasks [ 16 , 17 ]. Many sports have a METs value greater than 6 and are considered to be vigorous activity [ 18 ].…”

“…However, few studies have examined the health impact of sport specifically for adults. In our study of sport participation and women, we found that women who participated in sport did so at a higher METs value (average METs = 6.18) and were less likely to report several chronic diseases and conditions including heart attack, cardiovascular, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, other cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, depression, kidney disease, and diabetes when compared to women who participated in the other categories of PA (conditioning exercise, recreation, or household tasks) [ 16 ]. Oja and colleagues found that specific sports participation (cycling, swimming and racquet sports) reduced all-cause mortality [ 24 ].…”

A sportolási hajlandóság növelésében rejlő lehetőségek Kelet-Közép-Európa társadalmi-gazdasági fejlődése tükrében

“…A fizikai aktivitás egészségi állapotra gyakorolt hatását széles körű szakirodalom tárgyalja. Számos tanulmány foglalkozik a fizikai aktivitás különböző betegségcsoportok -mint például a szív-és érrendszeri betegségek, a cukorbetegség, a rák vagy a depresszió -kialakulási valószínűségére gyakorolt hatásával, a betegségek kezelésében betöltött szerepével (Abell et al 2005;Pharr, Lough 2016;Qin et al 2010), valamint különböző sporttevékenységek egészségre gyakorolt hatásával (Assis et al 2006;Hui et al 2016). Ezek a kutatások eltérő szempontok szerint vizsgálják a testmozgás egészségi állapotra gyakorolt hatását.…”