Physical Activity - Statistics & Facts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 20 percent of the U.S. population was engaged in sports and exercise each day in 2015. Male participation was higher (22.9 percent) than the participation rate of women (18.1 percent). This included participation in sports, exercise and other active leisure activities. According to a 2016 Statista survey a quarter of the U.S. population exercised, worked out or did sports daily. On average, Americans spent half an hour per day doing sport, exercise and on recreation. Staying healthy, weight loss, strength and/or endurance optimization, and getting a better looking body are amongst the main reasons people in the United States exercise, work out or do sports.

Amongst the most popular outdoor activities in the United States are hiking, camping, biking, fishing and running & jogging. More than 35 million people participate in hiking and camping each year, fishing, biking, running and jogging draw more than 40 million participants annually. 6 to 12 year-olds are most likely to participate in outdoor activities with 63 percent having participated in 2015. Between the ages of 13 and 44 the participation rate is relatively stable- between at least 50 percent and about 60 percent. In the group of people aged 45 and older the participation rate in outdoor activities drops to under 40 percent.

High school sports are an important part of sports culture in the U.S. About 4.54 million male students participated in some high school sports program in the 2015/16 school year, with football being the most popular sport with more than one million participants. Total participation of female students was at around 3.32 million in 2015/16. Track and field was the sport with the most participants with more than 478 thousand participants. Basketball and volleyball were equally popular with participants in excess of 400 thousand.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
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Average amount of time spent on sports, exercise and recreation in the U.S.

0.32hrs/d

Total number of female participants in high school athletics

3.4m
Level of physical activity
Average amount of time spent on sports, exercise and recreation in the U.S. 0.32hrs/d Average share of U.S. population engaged in sports and exercise per day 20.9% U.S. Americans who consider themselves moderately active 55%
Participation numbers
Total number of female participants in high school athletics 3.4m Total number of U.S. male participants in high school athletics 4,563,238 Number of Americans participating in roller skating 11.88m Number of Americans participating in gymnastics 5.38m Number of Americans participating in surfing 2.79m
Health & fitness club membership
U.S. members of health/exercise clubs 48.83m Members of 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc. 3,800k Total number of members in health and fitness clubs worldwide 162.1m
Sports Exercise Equipment
Sports exercise equipment wholesale sales in the U.S. 5.18bn USD

Physical activity - Important statistics

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The whole topic in one document

Physical activity
  • Edited and prepared
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  • Instant access
  • From $365
View dossier
Level of physical activity
Average amount of time spent on sports, exercise and recreation in the U.S. 0.32hrs/d Average share of U.S. population engaged in sports and exercise per day 20.9% U.S. Americans who consider themselves moderately active 55%
Participation numbers
Total number of female participants in high school athletics 3.4m Total number of U.S. male participants in high school athletics 4,563,238 Number of Americans participating in roller skating 11.88m Number of Americans participating in gymnastics 5.38m Number of Americans participating in surfing 2.79m
Health & fitness club membership
U.S. members of health/exercise clubs 48.83m Members of 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc. 3,800k Total number of members in health and fitness clubs worldwide 162.1m
Sports Exercise Equipment
Sports exercise equipment wholesale sales in the U.S. 5.18bn USD

Recommended statistics

Percentage of U.S. population engaged in sports and exercise per day 2010-2016
Most popular outdoor activities in the U.S. from 2009 to 2016
Male participants in athletic programs in U.S. high schools 1992-2017
How often people in the U.S. exercise, work out or do sports 2016
Why people in the U.S. exercise, work out or do sports 2016

Infographics on the topic

Physical Activity Infographic - Wimbledon

Infographics on the topic

Physical Activity Infographic - Wimbledon

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