Global participation in sport and leisure-time physical activities: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

This review aimed to determine the most popular physical activities performed by children, adolescents, and adults globally. Statistic bureau websites and article databases Scopus, ProQuest, SPORTDiscus, and Science Direct were searched between November 17th, 2014 and April 31st, 2015. Eligible studies were published in the last 10years with participation rates for specific physical activities among individuals five years or older. Data extraction for included articles (n=64) was assessed independently and agreed upon by two authors. A random-effects model was used to calculate participation rates in specific activities for each age group and region. In total 73,304 articles were retrieved and 64 articles representing 47 countries were included in the final meta-analysis. Among adults, walking was the most popular activity in the Americas (18.9%; 95% CI 10.2 to 32.5), Eastern Mediterranean (15.0%; 95% CI 5.8 to 33.6), Southeast Asia (39.3%; 95% CI 0.9 to 98.0) and Western Pacific (41.8%; 95% CI 25.2 to 60.6). In Europe and Africa, soccer (10.0%; 95% CI 6.5 to 15.1) and running (9.3%; 95% CI 0.9 to 53.9), respectively, were top activities. Child and adolescent participation results were highly dependent upon region. American youth team sport participation was high, while youth from the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific were more likely to report participation in lifelong physical activities. Global data for adults reflects a consistent pattern of participation in running and walking. Among all age groups and regions soccer was popular. In children and adolescents, preferences were variable between regions.

Physical activity preferences of 10‐year‐old children and identified activities with positive and negative associations to cardiorespiratory fitness

“…Also Hulteen et al. concluded that soccer was the most popular activity for boys. However, the girls in our study also expressed a high preference for soccer and it should not be viewed as just an activity for boys.…”

“…Schools provide an ideal setting for these interventions and are in a unique position to contribute to the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of daily PA for children . In addition, many of the barriers for children's leisure‐time PA, including their parent's socioeconomic status, parental support for active modes of travel, such as cycling, and the cost of sporting activities, do not apply in the school setting . Numerous efforts have been made to intervene and increase children's PA levels in school .…”

“…The limited number of studies that have investigated children's PA preferences have identified four associated variables, namely ethnicity, gender, age and body mass index (BMI). However, these studies were based on relatively simple comparisons within special populations and included relativity few children.…”

Myths and Methodologies: Reducing scientific design ambiguity in studies comparing sexes and/or menstrual cycle phases

“…Traditionally, sport was created by men and for men (Hargreaves, ), but women are now participating, and exercising, in record numbers (Hulteen et al., ). Pushing cultural and physical barriers, they are training hard, achieving personal bests and enjoying the everyday physical and social pleasures of a wide range of movement cultures.…”

A profile of health, lifestyle and training habits of 4720 Australian recreational runners—The case for promoting running for health benefits

“…However, according to the report from the National Health Survey conducted in 2014‐2015, only 57.7% of Australian men and 53.3% of Australian women met the WHO Physical Activity Guidelines . Recreational running, which may also be referred to as jogging, is one of the most common physical activities worldwide, with regular running consistently shown to reduce all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality risks . In Australia, the rate of participation in running increased from 4.3% in 2005‐06 to 7.4% in 2013‐14 .…”