Australians keep jogging and running

The number of Australians jogging or running as a sport or recreational activity has almost doubled since 2005/06, according to a new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication.

ABS Director of Culture Recreation and Migrant Statistics, Andrew Middleton explained "the Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation survey showed, running has definitely increased in popularity, we found that nearly 8% of Australians 15 years old or over participated in running or jogging in the last 12 months, up from just over 4% in 2005/06."

The survey also indicated a decrease in the popularity of swimming and diving with Middleton adding "figures for 2011/12 show that 8% of Australians over 15 years old have participated in swimming or diving in the last 12 months, this compares to 9% in 2005/06."

Overall 65% of Australians aged 15 and over participated in at least one form of sport or physical recreational activity, walking topped the list as the most popular activity with 24% of Australians walking as a form of exercise.

Middleton continued "young adults were the most likely to participate in sport and physical recreation.

"People between the ages of 15 to 17 years had the highest levels of participation at 78%, while people aged 65 and over had the lowest participation rate, 50%.

"Well done to the residents in the Australian Capital Territory, as the highest of all Australian states and territories, with a participation rate of 80%."

The two most popular sport or physical recreational activities participated in by Australians were walking (24%) and fitness or gym activities (17%).

"The participation rates of men were slightly higher than women, with 66% and 64% respectively.

"About 52% of Australians who participated in sport and physical recreational activities participated 105 times or more during the 12 months prior to interview.

"53% of Australians participated in physical activities that were not formally organised while 27% of participants were involved in organised activities.

"Overall, the most popular facilities used for participating in sport and physical recreational activities were parks and reserves, with 40% of participants using these facilities."

Further information is available in Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia 201112 (cat. no. 4177.0), www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4177.0?OpenDocument

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