Exercise, Recreation, and Sport Survey (ERASS) 2007

The Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) is a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and the state and territory government agencies responsible for sport and recreation. 

The first survey was conducted in 2001. This publication presents results from the seventh annual ERASS data collection, which was conducted in 2007.

 The ERASS collects information on the frequency, duration, nature and type of physical activities that are participated in by persons aged 15 years and over for exercise, recreation and sport during the 12 months prior to interview. Participation means active ‘playing’ participation, and does not include coaching, refereeing and being a spectator, or activities related to work, household chores or gardening duties.

The ERASS collects data on the total participation rate in physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport over the 12 month period. The total participation rate is based on the number of persons who have undertaken exercise, recreation and sport at least once during the previous 12 months. This rate does not reflect the number of persons who are physically active on a regular basis.  Frequency and duration data provide an indication of the number of persons who are regularly active. The main focus of this report is on persons who are physically active three times per week or more. This is referred to as the regular participation rate throughout the report. 

The survey is conducted quarterly throughout Australia. In 2007, ACNielsen Research completed the fieldwork, and supplied the data tables provided in this report. The report was then prepared by Newspoll Market Research for the Australian Sports Commission in consultation with the states and territories. Newspoll are responsible for ERASS data collection in 2008 and 2009.

This publication presents information regarding the:

• frequency of participation in organised and non-organised physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport;
• duration of participation in physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport;
• type of participation in physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport; and
• trends in participation over time. 

Information is available for both organised and non-organised exercise, recreation and sport, for all states and territories and for a variety of demographic variables.  This report also introduces, for the first time, analysis of club-based participation.

Document Information and availability

Pages: 175 pp

Published by: Australian Sports Commission

Contact

Research and Corporate Planning
Australian Sports Commission
PO Box 176
BELCONNEN ACT 2616

email: research@ausport.gov.au
Phone: 02 6214 7880
Fax: 02 6214 1656