From all sports to do with leisure and recreation activities, walking for exercise had the highest level of participation of 23%. Aerobics and fitness was also one of the current trends of participation of 14%. The other sports include swimming of 7.4%, cycling of 6.5% and running of 6.5%. Participation in specific activities varied with the sex and age of participants.
- By sex
Both walking for exercise and aerobics, fitness or gym were more popular for women of 30% and 17% of participation, than for men which was only 16% and 11% participation. There were other activities that were predominantly participated in by either females or males. For example, netball had a higher number of women than men participating. Preferably men participated in were golf and outdoor soccer. Golf had 4 ½ times as many men as women participating. Outdoors soccer had around 4 times as many men as women.
- By age
The most popular activity was walking of 23% of participation, however, people from the age group of 15-17 years of age were more likely to participate in aerobics, fitness or gym, which was 12% of participation. People aged 18-24 years also preferred aerobics, fitness or gym of 20% participation.
From the age groups of 55-64 years and 45-54 years, walking for exercise was the most popular activity of 34% and 30% participation. Golf of 7.2% and lawn bowls of 4.7% were two other current trends of participation in leisure and recreation activities in rural communities.
Therefor there are different trends of participation in leisure and recreation activities in rural communities for each age group and sex group. Walking, aerobics, fitness and gym had a bigger participation rate for women, where as for men participated in golf, and outdoor soccer. Also for old age groups, walking was the current trend of participation in leisure and recreation activities, whereas for younger age groups fitness and aerobics was the preferred leisure and recreation activity.
- By sex
Both walking for exercise and aerobics, fitness or gym were more popular for women of 30% and 17% of participation, than for men which was only 16% and 11% participation. There were other activities that were predominantly participated in by either females or males. For example, netball had a higher number of women than men participating. Preferably men participated in were golf and outdoor soccer. Golf had 4 ½ times as many men as women participating. Outdoors soccer had around 4 times as many men as women.
- By age
The most popular activity was walking of 23% of participation, however, people from the age group of 15-17 years of age were more likely to participate in aerobics, fitness or gym, which was 12% of participation. People aged 18-24 years also preferred aerobics, fitness or gym of 20% participation.
From the age groups of 55-64 years and 45-54 years, walking for exercise was the most popular activity of 34% and 30% participation. Golf of 7.2% and lawn bowls of 4.7% were two other current trends of participation in leisure and recreation activities in rural communities.
Therefor there are different trends of participation in leisure and recreation activities in rural communities for each age group and sex group. Walking, aerobics, fitness and gym had a bigger participation rate for women, where as for men participated in golf, and outdoor soccer. Also for old age groups, walking was the current trend of participation in leisure and recreation activities, whereas for younger age groups fitness and aerobics was the preferred leisure and recreation activity.