Physical Activity - Statistics & Facts

Published by Christina Gough, Sep 11, 2018
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 19 percent of the U.S. population was engaged in sports and exercise each day in 2017. Male participation was higher (20.2 percent) than the participation rate of women (17.8 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.

Interesting statistics

In the following 5 chapters, you will quickly find the 31 most important statistics relating to "Physical Activity".

Average amount of time spent on sports, exercise and recreation in the U.S.
0.29hrs/d
Average share of U.S. population engaged in sports and exercise per day
19.1%
Number of Americans who engage in physical activity
218.5m

Amongst the most popular outdoor activities in the United States are hiking, camping, biking, fishing and running & jogging. More than 40 million people participate in hiking and camping each year, fishing, biking, running and jogging draw more than 45 million participants annually. 6 to 12 year-olds are most likely to participate in outdoor activities with 61 percent having participated in 2017. Between the ages of 13 and 44 the participation rate is relatively stable- between at least 55 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 4.57 million male students participated in some high school sports program in the 2017/18 school year, with football being the most popular sport with more than one million participants. Total participation of female students was at around 3.42 million in 2017/18. Track and field was the sport with the most participants with almost 490 thousand participants. Basketball and volleyball were equally popular with more than 400 thousand participants each.

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.
Physical activity

Dossier on the topic

All important statistics are prepared by our experts – available for direct download as PPT & PDF!
Go to report
TOP SELLER

Important key figures

The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "Physical Activity" and take you straight to the corresponding statistics.

Participation numbers

Health & fitness club membership

Sports Exercise Equipment

More interesting topics from the industry "Sport & Activities"

Related topics

Health
Health
Sporting Goods Industry in the U.S.
Sporting Goods Industry in the U.S.
Health & Fitness Clubs
Health & Fitness Clubs
Wellness and spa industry
Wellness and spa industry
Soccer
Soccer
Golf
Golf
Tennis
Tennis
Running & Jogging
Running & Jogging
Yoga
Yoga
Basketball
Basketball

Infographics on the topic

Physical Activity Infographic - Wimbledon

Other studies on the topic

Any more questions?

Any more questions?

Get in touch with us quickly and easily.
We are happy to help!

Get in touch with us quickly and easily.
We are happy to help!

Do you still have questions?

Feel free to contact us anytime using our contact form or visit our FAQ page.

Contact
Steve Fuller

Menu