Females participate in physical activity more often than males, according to the 2010 Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) released recently.

Minister for Sport Mark Arbib welcomed the findings that Australian women, on average, have increased the frequency of their physical activity from twice per week in 2001 to three times per week in 2010.

'It is encouraging to see women are getting more active and playing more sport,' Senator Arbib said.

'While females participated in physical activity more frequently than males, the research shows that, on average, males participated in physical activity for a longer duration than females.

'Australians are also becoming involved in a wider range of exercise opportunities, which represents a positive aspect of our sporting culture.

'In 2010, the most popular physical activities in terms of total participation rate were walking, aerobics/fitness, swimming, cycling, running, golf, tennis, bush walking, outdoor football and netball.

'While the figures are encouraging, there are still major challenges for all levels of governments to encourage Australians to not only get up and moving, but to join local sporting clubs and make exercise a permanent part of their lifestyles.

'We know that exercise and sport have a positive impact on people’s lives, fighting obesity, improving physical and mental health and encouraging team work. Whatever your age it’s vital that people keep active.'

The 2010 ERASS findings showed:

• 48 per cent of the Australian population aged 15 years and over, participated in physical activity on average at least three times per week in 2010, compared with 37 per cent in 2001
• an estimated 4.9 million people aged 15 years and over, or 28 per cent of the population, participated in physical activity on average five times per week or more in 2010
• regular participation rates in any physical activity were higher among the university-educated and those still at secondary school in comparison to the rest of the Australian population
• between 2001 and 2010, there was a 10 per cent increase in the regular participation rate among males to 45 per cent in 2010. This increase in the regular participation rate was mainly explained by an increase in participation in non-organised activity.

ERASS is a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and state/territory sport and recreation departments.

It is a national population survey that 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.

NOTE: 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.

In addition to this national sporting population survey, most sporting bodies publish their own participation data and to accurately represent participation bases for sports, these reports should be considered collectively.