| Walking is Number One |
| Superstudy® 1999 |
Walking remains the run-away favorite sports activity for both men and women in the US, according to the yearly Superstudy® conducted by American Sports Data, Inc. on sports participation. The study data was analyzed by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA).
Over 10 million women walk for fitness - three days a week or more, and 23 million women and 14 million men walk recreationally at least once a week. Treadmilling was also very popular with 5 million women. Running and jogging lagged behind walking, not making the top 10 for women and barely cracking the top 10 for men with only 6 million participants.
|
Most Popular Sports for Women |
|
|
Activity |
1999 |
|
1. Recreational Walking (52+ days) |
23,806,000 |
|
2. Fitness Walking (100+ days) |
10,538,000 |
|
3. Stretching (100+ days) |
9,651,000 |
|
4. Recreational Swimming (52+ days) |
9,595,000 |
|
5. Recreational Bicycling (52+ days) |
7,165,000 |
|
6. Treadmill Exercise (100+ days) |
5,430,000 |
|
7. Basketball (25+ days) |
4,666,000 |
|
8. Free Weights: Hand Weights (100+ days) |
4,546,000 |
|
9. Calisthenics (100+ days) |
4,379,000 |
|
10. In-line Skating (25+ days) |
4,275,000 |
|
Most Popular Sports for Men |
|
|
Activity |
1999 |
|
1. Walking (Recreational) - 52+ days/year |
14,799,000 |
|
2. Basketball - 25+ days/year |
12,397,000 |
|
3. Fishing (Freshwater/Other) - 15+ days/year |
10,362,000 |
|
4. Bicycling (Recreational) - 52+ days/year |
9,986,000 |
|
5. Free Weights: Barbells - 100+ days/year |
7,510,000 |
|
6. Swimming (Recreational) - 52+ days/year |
7,148,000 |
|
7. Calisthenics - 100+ days/year |
7,108,000 |
|
8. Free Weights: Dumbells - 100+ days |
7,102,000 |
|
9. Stretching - 100+ days/year |
6,894,000 |
|
10. Running/Jogging - 100+ days |
6,252,000 |
The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the trade association of North American manufacturers, producers, and distributors of sports apparel, athletic footwear, and sporting goods equipment, is dedicated to increasing participation in sports and fostering industry growth and vitality.
Next Page >> Walking is Tops for Seniors | Youth
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