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- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
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- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
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Media Releases
2010 | 2009 | 200830 Jun 2009 - One million more Australians into physical activity
Australians taking part in regular physical activity increased by one million in 2008 since the previous year, according to the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) Annual Report released today.
Minister for Sport Kate Ellis said the latest ERASS findings showed an estimated 8.2 million Australians (aged 15 years and over) were active at least three times a week. This represented almost 50 per cent of the survey, rising from 7.1 million (43 per cent) in 2007.
Ms Ellis said that the number of Australians exercising regularly had risen by 12 percentage points since the annual study started in 2001.
"It's encouraging to see more Australians involved in sport and physical activity," Ms Ellis said.
Increasing participation in sport and recreational activity is an important element in living healthy lifestyles and improving the health of the nation.
"The Australian Government is committed to improving participation levels through a number of broad and inclusive programs including Indigenous people, women, juniors, sporting clubs and people with a disability.
"These findings show regular participation increased from 37 per cent in 2001 to 49 per cent in 2008, a jump of 12 percentage points.
"This tells us we are gradually heading in the right direction, but these numbers have to improve further if Australia is to realise the health benefits of being a more active nation."
The study found females were more likely to be involved in regular physical activity, registering 51 per cent compared with 47 per cent of males. However men were more likely to be active for longer periods.
Australia's most popular sports included aerobics/fitness, golf, outdoor football, netball, tennis, touch football, basketball, Australian Football, swimming and outdoor cricket.
ERASS, a joint initiative of the ASC and state/territory sport and recreation departments, captures 'playing' participation and does not include coaching, refereeing or activities related to work or domestic duties.
The research can be found at www.ausport.gov.au/information/scors/ERASS.