More Australians are enjoying the benefits of physical activity. Today’s release of the 2007 Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) Annual Report shows 7.1 million Australians aged 15 years or over (43.5% of the population) participated in physical activity regularly (at least three times per week) in 2007, up from 5.6 million in 2001 (37.2%).

The report also shows that an estimated 4 million persons aged 15 years or over (24.6%) participated in physical activity at least five times per week.

In 2007, 1.8 million persons aged 15 years or over (11.2%) participated regularly in organised physical activity. Golf, netball, tennis, and outdoor football continued to be the most popular organised sports.

An estimated 5.5 million persons aged 15 years or over (33.6%) participated regularly in non-organised physical activity. Walking, aerobics/fitness type activities, swimming, cycling and running have consistently been in the top five non-organised physical activities since 2001.

In 2007, women were more likely than men to be regular participants (46.9% and 40.1%, respectively).

For women, the age-group with the highest rate of regular participation was those aged 55 to 64 years (51.3%). Men were most likely to participate regularly between the ages of 15 and 24 (42.7%), and 65 years and over (42.6%).

Interestingly, the age-group of 15 to 24 years have the lowest rate of regular participation in non-organised physical activity among all the age groups, while they have the highest rate of regular participation in organised activity.

ERASS is a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the state and territory government agencies responsible for sport and recreation, and has been conducted since 2001. The total sample of records used to produce estimates for 2007 was 16,400 persons aged 15 years and over in occupied private dwellings across Australia.

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 in ERASS means active ‘playing’ participation, and does not include coaching, refereeing and being a spectator, or activities related to work, household chores or gardening duties.

For further information contact:

Cecilia Hemana, Research Manager, Australian Sports Commission by cecilia.hemana@ausport.gov.au or 02 6214 7158

or Shoyan Lu, Research Consultant, Australian Sports Commission by shoyan.lu@ausport.gov.au or 02 6214 1990