FROM VITAL & HEALTH STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STA TiSTICS 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE � Public Health Service I Number 19 � March 15,1978 

Exercise and Participation in Sports Among


Persons 20 Years of Age and Over: United States, 19751


During July-December 1975 the Health Interview Survey questionnaire included a supplement to obtain information about exercise, participation in sports, and self-judgment of the 

individual’s amount of physical activity for the 

U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 20 

years of age and over. Data were obtained in 

response to the following five questions: What 

exercises were done on a regular basis? What 

sports were participated in during the 12 months 

prior to interview? Was this participation as a 

team member? Was any of the participation in 

tournaments? and Do you consider yourself 

more, less, or about as active as other persons of 

your age? A copy of the questionnaire may be 

found in “Current Estimates from the Health 

Interview Survey, United States, 1975,” Vital 

and Health Statistics, Series 10, No. 115, DHEW 

Publication No. (HRA) 77-1543. Unlike most 

data gathered in this survey, the information on 

exercise and sports participation was obtained 

from each sample person rather than from a 

�

household respondent. 

The data show that about 49 percent of persons 20 years of age and over reported doing one 

regular exercise or more, while 51 percent reported no regular exercise (table 1). Among 

specific exercises, walking was the most common form; approximately 7 out of 10 persons 

who exercised regularly reported this form. During the 12 months before the interview about 42 

percent in this age group participated in one 

1This report prepared by Jai W. Choi, Division of 

Health Interview Statistics. 

kind of sport or more. Among specified types of 

sports, the participation rate was highest for 

swimming (24.0 percent). Approximately 

percent of the group participated in sports as a 

team member, and about 7 percent pm-ticipated 

in a tournament during the year. 

Exercise 

Tables 1 and 2 show the number and percent 

distribution of persons by type 

cording to selected characteristics. 

percent) was the main form of 

persons 20 years of age or over. 

cially true for older persons. 

of exercise acWalking (33.8 

exercise among 

This was espeFor example, 

among persons 65 years or over who exercised 

reguktrly, almost 9 out of 10 walked for exercise. Calisthenics was the second most popular 

form of exercise (13.5 percent). The next most 

frequently mentioned exercises were swimming 

(1 1.8 percent), bicycling (10.9 percent), jogging 

(4.8 percent), and weight lifting (3.4 percent). 

Figure 1 shows these percents by sex. 

A higher proportion of younger persons exercised regukdy than did older persons. About 

54 percent of persons aged 20-44 years exercised, while only about 42 percent 65 years and 

over reported exercising regtda.dy. Persons with 

higher family income were more likely to exercise than were persons with lower family income. 

Because many people do more than one 

form of exercise, the sum of those who did different forms is, of course, greater than the number of those who exercised. Table 3 illustrates 

* 

11 
2 acklncedata 

0 

Table 1. Percent distribution of persons 20 years of age and over by exercise status and percent by type of exercise, according to selected 

characteristics: United States, 1975 

All per- One Type of exercise No Characteristic sons 20 egular regular years and xercise Bicycling Calis- Jogging Weight Swim- Nalking Other exercise overl r more thenics Iifting ming 

—— , 

— 

SEX

Both sexes 

All ages 20 years and over. 100.0 48.6 10.9 13.5 4.8 3.4 11.8 33.8 

20-44 years .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... ... . ..... 100.0 53.7 16.1 17.3 7.3 5.4 16.9 33.8 ++ 

45-64 years . ..... . . .... ... .. .... . . .. ... 100.0 43.4 6.5 10.8 2.7 1.5 8.0 32.9 6:5 56:3 

65 yeers and over .. ... .. . .... ... .. .... 100.0 42.3 2.9 6.1 1.2 *o.~ 2.8 35.7 6.9 57.4 

Male I All ages 20 years and over .. 100.0 48.5 10.8 13.5 7.2 6.3 13.3 32.5 6.4 51.1 

20-44 years . ... .. .. .... ... . ... ... .. ..... 100.0 52.7 14.9 17.5 10.6 10.1 18.8 31.4 6.2 47.0 

45-64 years .... ... .. .... .. .. ... ... . ..... 100.0 42.0 6.7 10.1 3.8 2.6 8.1 31.4 5.9 57.6 

65 years and over ... .. .. ... .. .. .... . 100.0 47.3 4.3 5.9 2.1 *0.5 4.1 39.4 B.1 62.0 

Female 

All ages 20 years and over .. 100.0 48.7 11.1 13.5 2.7 0.8 10.5 35.0 7.1 51.1 � 

20-44 years . .... . ... ... ... .. ... ... .. .... 100.0 54.6 17.2 17.1 4.1 1.1 15.0 36.0 7.5 45.2 

45-64 years .... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... . .... 100.0 44.6 6.4 11.4 1.6 *0.5 7.8 34.2 7.1 55.2 

65 years and over ... .. ...... . ... .... 100.0 38.7 1.8 6.3 ‘0.6 I “0.4 1.9 33.0 6.0 61.1

COLOR 

White t 

All ages 20 years and over .. 100.0 48.3 11.3 13.8 4.7 3.4 12.6 34.0 4-= 

20-44 years ... .. .. .... .. . .... .. .. .... . 100.0 54.1 16.6 17.8 7.0 5.5 18.0 33.5 6.8 45.6 

45-64 years ... . .. .... .. .. .... .. .. .. .. . 100.0 44.5 6.9 11.1 2.8 1.4 8.7 33.4 6.7 55.2 

65 years and over .. .. .. .. .. .. .... ... 100.0 43.8 3.1 6.5 1.2 ‘0.5 3.0 36.8 7.2 55.8 

All other 

All ages 20 years and over .. 100.0 42.9 8.3 11.0 6.1 3.4 6.0 32.4 6.3 56.8 

i I 

20-44 years .. ... .... . ... .... .. .. .... .. 100.0 50.7 12.5 14.0 9.5 4.7 9.4 36.3 7.4 48,9 

45-64 years .. .. . .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. 100.0 33.9 3.2 8.6 *1.4 ‘2.3 *1.3 28.2 5.1 65.8 

65 yaars and over . ... ..... . ... ... ... 100.0 27.2 � *2.7 *1.1 * *1.3 24.4 *4.O 72.8 

Family income 

Less than $5,000 .. . .. . ... .... ..... .. 100.0 45.2 7.4 9.6 3.5 2.4 6.7 35.6 5.91 54.7 

$5,000-$9,999 .. .... ... .... . .... .... . 100.0 46.4 9.5 12.1 4.3 3.0 10.3 34.2 6.4 53.4 

$10,000-$14,999 .. .. .. .. .... .. .... .. 100.0 49.9 11.6 13.9 4.7 3.6 13.5 33.7 6.6 49.9 

$15,000 or more .. . .. .... .. .. ..... .. 100.0 53.4 14.2 17.5 6.4 4.3 15.2 34.5 7.5 46.3 

Unknown . .... .. .. .... .... .. .. ... .... .. 100.0 38.8 6.9 7.2 3.0 2.0 7.8 27.2 7.0 60.7 

lInc]udes unknown exercise StatUS. 
o dmcdata3 

Table 1. Percent distribution of persons 20 years of age and over by exercise status and percent by type of exercise, according to selected 

characteristics: United States, 1975—Con. 

One Type of exercise 

Characteristic sons 20 regular 

years anc exercise Cal is- Weight 

overl or more Bicyclin~ thentics Jogging lifting 

m- “;”e 

Geographic region 

Northeast ......... .............. ........ 100.( 50.4 10.7 14.0 4.8 3.1


North Central .......................... 100.( 49.6 14.4 13.4 4.3 3.5


West 

South 

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1

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00.( 

00.( 

42.0 

55.8 11.4 

7.9 

18.1 

10.4 4.2 

6.7 4.1 

3.0m

13.4 38.4
 8.4 43.6


Self-perceived 

physical activity 

39.8 5.1 7.4 0.9 1.2 7.2 27.9 5.3 60.1 

50.5 11.4 12.4 3.4 2.6 11.8 35.2 5.7 49.3 

66.6 17.3 23.5 11.1 7.1 18.5 46.2 11.9 33.3 

9.7 2.3 2.3 1.4 ‘0.7 2.4 6.6 1.2 88.7 

lIncludes unknown exercise status. 

reported doing one type of exercise or more. 

Figure 1. PERCENT OF PERSONS 20 YEARS OF AGE The corresponding proportions were about 51 

AND OVER WHO REPORTED REGULAR EXERCIS- percent for those who were about as active as ING, BY TYPE OF EXERCISE AND SEX: UNITED 

STATES, 1975. others their age and 67 percent for those who 

were more active. 

Participation in Sports 

About 42 percent of the population 20 years 

of age and over participated in one type of sport 

or more, while 58 percent did not participate in 

any kind of sports. During the 12 months before 

the interview about 11 percent of persons participated -in one type of sport or more as team 

Walking Calistheoim Swimming Sicycling Jogging	 Weight Other members, and about 7 percent participated in at Wring least one tournament (table 4). 

A higher proportion of younger persons participated in sports than did older persons. For 

instance, about 58 percent of persons aged 

that about 46 percent of persons reported that 20-44 years participated in some form of sport 

they did two types or m-ore of ex&cises, and while only about 10 percent of those 65 years 

about 55 percent reported that they did only and over participated (table 4). 

one type of exercise. About 37 percent of women reported thev . .

Among persons who were less active than had participated in one kind of sport or more, 

o others in the same age group, about 40 percent while the comparable rat e for men was about 47 
4 achancecbta 

Table 2. Number of persons 20 years of age and over by exercise status and type of exercise, according to selected characteristics: 

United States, 1975 

Al I One Type of exercise3 

No 

Characteristic	 persons regular regular 20 years exercise F.ic.c, ing &lis. Jogging Weight Swim- Walking Other exercise and overl,2 or more thenics lifting ming 

SEX

— Number in thousands 

Both sexes 

All ages 20 years 

and over .................... 135,655 65,922 14,854 8.287 6,569 4,601 16,034 45,880 9,193 69,334 - — -

20-44 years ....................... 71,084 38,158 11,422 2,313 5,170 3,852 11,989 24,045 4,894 32,735 

45-64 years ....................... . 43,145 18,710 2,891 4,661 1,145 651 3,435 14,197 2,823 24,308 

65 years and over ............... 21,426 9,054 611 1,312 254 ’99 610 7,639 1,475 12,291 

Male 

All ages 20 years 

and over .. . ..... . .. ..... .. . .. 63,665 30,893 6,853 8,604 4,604 4,031 8,491 20,716 4,074 32,551 

20-44 years . ... .. ... ... .. .... .. . .. 34,268 18,074 5,092 6,006 3,648 3,444 6,452 10,773 2,133 16,107 

45-64 years .. .. . ..... .. .. . ... ... . .. 20,567 8,638 1,380 2,076 773 540 1,675 6,463 1,223 11,847 

65 years and over . ... ... .... . .. 8,830 4,180 381 522 183 *47 365 3,480 718 4,596 

Female 

All ages 20 years 

and over . .... .. .. .... . ... ... 71,990 35,030 8,001 9,683 1,965 570 7,543 25,164 5,119 36,783 

20-44 years .. .. ... .. . .... ... .. .... 36,816 20,084 6,330 6,307 1,522 407 5,538 13,272 2,762 16,628 

45-64 years . ...... ... . .. ... .. ..... 22,579 10,072 1,441 2,585 372 *III 1,760 7,733 1,601 12,461 

65 years and over . ...... .. .. ... 12,595 4,874 230 790 *71 ’52 245 4,159 757 7,695 

COLOR 

White 

All ages 20 years 

and over . .. .. ... ... .. .. .. . .. 120,141 59,264 13,574 16,575 5,627 4,077 15,100 40,847 8,212 60,523 

20-44 years .... . .. . .. .. ... .... .. .. . 61,990 33,545 10,283 I 1,037 4,310 3,429 11,135 20,748 4,220 28,287 

45-64 years .. .... . .... .. ... ... ... .. 38,696 17,202 2,679 4,280 1,084 549 3,379 12,942 2,595 21,379 

65 years and over .. ... .. . .. ... . 19,455 8,517 611 1,258 232 *99 585 7,159 1,396 10,857 

All other 

All ages 20 years 

and over ................... 15,515 6,658 1,280 1,712 942 524 935 5,033 981 8,811 

—— 

20-44 years ....................... 9,094 4,614 1,139 1,276 860 423 854 3,299 674 4,448 

45-64 years ........................ 4,45C 1,508 141 381 *6 I *101 *56 1,254 228 2,930 

* * 65 years and over ...... ........ 1,971 536 *54 *22 *25 480 *79 1,434 

Family income 

Less than $5,000 ... ... . ..... .. 21,1 8C 9,566 1,563 2,043 738 514 1,426 7,536 1,258 11,576 

$5,000-$9,999 .. .. .... . .. .... ... 29,271 13,573 2,791 3,545 1,264 877 3,002 10,010 1,861 15,622 

$10,000-$14,999 ... ... .. .... .. . 29,53E 14,733 3,416 4,102 1,402 1,077 3,990 9,957 1,950 14,739 

$15,000 or more .. ... ... ... .. . . 44,35E 23,665 6,300 7,782 2,831 1,907 6,739 15,304 3,331 20,530 

Unknown .. ..... . . .. ... . .... .... . . 11,307 4,384 784 815 334 227 878 3,073 793 6,868 

See footnotes at end of table. 
� dwNxk&15 

Table 2. Number of persons 20 years of age and over by exercise status and type of exercise, according to selected characteristics: 

United States, 1975-Con. 

Characteristic 

Geographic region 

Northeast ................. ......... 

North Central .................... 

South .......................... ...... 

West .................................. 

Self-perceived 

physical activity 

Less active .... ....... .............. 

As active as others 

the same age ... .............. 

More active .................. ...... 

Unknown ....... ..... ....... ....... 

All One Type of exercises No 

persons regu Iar 

Cal is- regu Iar 

20 years exercises Bicycling 

thenics Jogging Weight SwimWalking Other exercise 

and overl, z or more lifting ming 

Number in thousends 

32,789 16,536 3,520 3,520 4,576 1,585 1,030 11,965 2,334 16,185 

35,951 17,830 5,178 4,806 1,551 1,274 3,692 12,547 2,018 18,003 

41,991 17,639 3,306 4,381 1,751 1,280 4,363 11,790 2,754 24,286 

24,925 13,916 2,850 4,523 1,682 1,018 3,350 9,578 2,087 10,860 

1

21,952 8,731 1,120 1,627 206 259 1,5B8 6,125 1,161 13,199 

61,946 31,307 7,046 7,691 2,090 1,627 7,305 21,816 3,509 30,563 

36,666 24,425 6,340 8,616 4,067 2,607 6,782 16,939 4,345 12,192 

15,091 1,459 348 353 205 *109 360 1,001 177 13,380 

I t I I 

lInclude~“nkno~m exercise status.
 9—


‘Estimate based on the civilian noninstitutionaiized population, July-December 1975.


3The number of persons participating in specifictypes of exercise is greater than the number of Persons who exercise because ‘ore


than one form is reported in some cases. 

Table 3. Number and percent distribution of persons who exercised by number of types of exercise: United States, 1975 

Number of types Number of persons Percent 

of exercise in thousands distribution 

Total ... . ... .... . . ... . 65,922 I 100.0 r 

1 type ... .. .... .. .. . .. . . .... 35,932 54.5 

2 types ... ..... . .. ... . .. ... 17,450 26.5 

3 types or more ... . .. . 12,540 19.0 

percent (table 5). The proportions of persons 

who participated in sports, who participated as a 

team member, and who participated in one tournament or more decreased with increasing age 

and were higher for males and white persons 

than for female: and persons of other races. 

These proportions increased with increasing family income. Not’ unexpectedly; the percent of 

persons in each type of participation category 

increased dramatically as the seIf-perceived leveI 

of physical activity increased from “less active” 

to “more active. ” 

Participating in sports and doing regular exercises are highly associated. Of the approximately 82.8 miIlion persons who participate in 

one or the other or both, about 20 percent participate only in sports, about 32 percent only 

exercise regularly, and about 48 percent are involved in both types of activity. 

Type of Sports Participation 

The rate of sports participation varies according to the specific type of sport. Table 5 

shows the number and percent of sport participants 20 years of age and over for 14 different 

types of sports. Among the sports specified on 

the questionnaire, the participation rate was 

highest for swimming (24.0 percent) and lowest 

for wrestIing (1.0 percent). Swimming (26.7 percent), bowling (16.9 percent), and softbaIl (13.5 

percent) were the three most popular sports 

among men, and swimming (21.6 percent), 

bowling (15.4 percent), and tennis (9.5 percent) 

were most popular among women. 
.

Table 4. Number, oercent distribution, and percent of Persons 20 Years of a9e and over by S.POrtsParticipation status, according to selected 

characteristics: United States, 1975 

— - II 

All perSports participation status 411 per- Sports participation status 

sons 20 ;ons 20 

Characteristic tears and ears am No par- wer 

..

1,2 No parover 12 ticipation ticipation 5i!!!t5 

Both sexes Number in thousands Percent 

All ages 20 

years’hnd over ... .. .. .. ... ... . ... 135,655 56,460 15.169 ==!== 100.0 41.6 11.2 6.7 58.1 

20-44 years .. ... . .... .. . .. .. .. . .. .... . .. ... 71,084 41,267 11,718 6,776 29,657 100.0 58.1 16.5 9.5 41.7 

45-64 years .. .. . ....... . .. ... .. ... ... .. .. .. 43,145 13,076 3,139 2,119 29,954 100.0 30.3 7.3 4.9 69.4 

65 years and over .. ... ... ... . ... ... . ... 21,426 2,117 312 143 19,255 100.0 9.9 1.5 0.7 89.9 

Male 

All ages 20 

years and over .. ... ..... . .. ... .. . .. . 63,665 30,178 9,153 100.0 47.4 14.4 10.2 52.3 

2044 years .. .. .. ..... .. . .. .... .. . .. ... .. .. 34,268 21,372 7,109 4,882 12,841 100.0 62.4 20.7 14.2 37.5 

45-64 yea rs.. ... .. ..... . .. .... .. .. ... ... . .. 20,567 7,340 1,803 1,492 13,156 100.0 35.7 8.8 7.3 64.0 

65 years and over .. . .. .... .. .. .. .. . . ... 8,830 1,465 241 *119 7,311 100.0 16.6 2.7 *1.3 82.8 

Female 

All ages 20 

years and over .. ... .... .. . ... ... . .. 71,990 26,283 6,016 2,545 45,559 100.0 36.5 8.4 3.5 63.3 

I 

20-44 years .... .. . ..... . ... ... .. .. .... .. . .. 36,816 19,895 4,608 1,884 16.8 100.0 54.0 12.5 5.1 45.7 

45-64 years .... .. .. ..... .... ... . .. ... ... . .. 22,579 5,736 1,336 627 16,799 100.0 25.4 5.9 2.8 74.4 

65 years and over ... . ... ... .. . .... .. .. . 12,595 652 *7 I *24 11,944 100.0 5.2 *0.6 *0.2 94.8 

COLOR 

White 

All ages 20 

years and over .... ................. 120,141 51.923 14.071 43.2 11.7 7.0 56.5 

2044 years .. .... .... .. . .... .. .. ..... . .. ... 61,990 37,387 10,780 6,213 24,455 100.0 60.3 17.4 10.0 39.4 

45-64 years .. .. . ..... . .. .... . ... .... .. .. ... 38,696 12,452 2,978 2,068 26,152 100.0 32.2 7.7 5.3 67.6 

65 years and over .. . .... .. .. ... .. ... ... 19,455 2,063 312 143 17,318 100.0 10.7 1.6 0.7 89.0 

All other 

Al I ages 20 

yaars and over ... . ... ... ..... . .. ... 15,515 4,538 1,098 100.0 29.2 7.1 4.0 70.5 

2044 years .. .. . ....oo. . .... .. .. .... .. .. ... 9,094 3,880 938 563 5,202 100.0 42.7 10.3 6.2 57.2 

45-64 years .. .. ...... .. ..... ... .... .. .. .... 

65 years and over .. . ... .. ... .... . ... ... 

4,450 

1,971 

624 

*34 

161 

* 

*5 I 

* 

3,802 

1937 

100.0 

100.0 

14.0 

*1.7 

3.6 

* 

*1.1 

* 

85.4 

98.3 

Familv income 

Less than $5,000 ... . .... ... .. .. .. .. .... 21,180 4,882 1,003 597 16,276 100.0 23.1 4.7 2.8 76.8 

$5,00G$9,999 .. ... .. .... ... ... .. .. .. .... 29,271 10,175 2,443 1,376 19,040 100.0 34.8 8.3 4.7 65.0 

$10,000-$14,999..., ... .. ... .... .. . .... 29,538 14,099 4,034 2,251 15,373 100.0 47.7 13.7 7.6 52.0 

$15,000 or more .. ...... .. .. .. .. ... .... 44,358 24,411 7,120 4,521 19,807 100.0 55.0 16.1 10.2 44.7 

Unknown .... .. . .... .. . ..... ... .... . ... .... 11,307 2,893 570 284 8,370 100.0 25.6 5.0 2.6 74.0 

-=-P@ 100.0 

See footnotes at end of table � 
� 

� dmcdata7 

Table 4. Number, percent distribution, and percent of persons 20 years of age and over by sports participation status, according to 

selected characteristics: United States, 1975—Con~ . 

II 

All perSports participation status All per- Sports participation status 

sons 20 One sons 20 

One 

Characteristic ‘ears and type of Team Tourn- No par- tears anc type of Team Tour- No par­ overl,2 sport or member ament ticipation Overl.z 

sport or member ament ticipation 

more more I I I I I 

Geographic region Number in thousands Percent 

Northeast .. .. ... . ... .. .. .... . . .... .. . .... .. 32,789 15,114 3,955 2,174 17,607 100.0 46.1 12.1 6.6 53.7 

North Central .. ..... .. .... .. . .... . ... .. .. 35,951 15,500 4,961 2,788 20,322 100.0 43.1 13.8 7.8 56.5 

South .... .. ... .. .. . ..... .. .. ... .. .. ... . ... ... 41,991 13,825 2,964 1,828 28,089 100.0 32.9 7.1 4.4 66.9 

West ... ... . . ..... .. .. .. ... . .. .. .. ... ..... .. ... 24,925 12,021 3,288 2,247 12,848 100.0 48.2 13.2 9,0 51.5 

Self-perceived 

physical activity 

Less active ...... . ... .... ... ... .. .. ... ... ... 526 14,814 100.0 32.5 5.1 2.4 67.5 

As active as others 

the same age ... . ... ... .. . ... .. .. ... .. .. . 3,471 33,870 100.0 45.3 11.3 5.6 54.7 

More active .. .... .. .. ... .. .. ... . .. ... ... .. . 4,605 16,536 100.0 54.8 17.8 12.6 45.1 

Unknown ... .. .... .. . ... ... . .... .. . .... .. . . 435 13,646 100.0 7.9 3.4 2.9 80.4 

llncludes unkno~vn exercise StatUS. 

2fitimate tjasedon civilian nonirrstitutionalized population, July-December 1975. 

Table 5. Number and percent of persons 20 years of age and over by sex and specific sport participated in: United States, 1975 

Percent 

Both Male Female Male Female ~rin’housands’ sexes

All persons 20 yaars and over .......................... I 135,655 64,665 71,990 100.0 100.0 100.0 

All persons who participate in 

� 

one type of sport or more .. .. .. .... . . .... .... . .. ... .. ... . 56,460 30,178 26,283 + 41.6 47.4 36.5 

Swimming .... . .. ... ... .. .... . . .... . ... . .. . .. ... .. .. ... . ... ... .. . .... .. . 32,542 17,000 15,542 24.0 26.7 21.6 

Bowling .. .. .... .. .. .... .. ..... . .. .... ... . .. . . .... .. . .... . ... ... .. . .... . . 21,870 10,762 11,108 16.1 16.9 15.4 

Tennis ..... .. .. ... .... .... . ... .. .. . ... .. .... ... ... . .. ... ... ... ..... . .. . .. . 14,965 8,139 6,826 11.0 12.8 9.5 

Softball .... .. . .... . .. .. .. .. .. .... .. ... .. .. .... .. . ... . ... ... .. .. .... .. ... . 12,137 8,599 3,538 8.9 13.5 4.9 

Golf .. .. . .. .. .. .. . ... .. . .... . .. .... .. .. ... .. .... .. . ... .. .. .... .. . .... . .. ... 11,370 8,044 3,326 8.4 12.6 4.6 

Basketball ... ... ... .. . .... .. .. . .. .... ... . .. ... ... .... .. . .... . .. .. .. .. .. . 10,514 8,554 1,960 7.8 13.4 2.7 

Volleyball ... . .. .... .. .. .... .. ... . .. .... .. .. ... ... ... ... .... . .. ..... .. . . 8,723 4,917 3,806 6.4 . 7.7 5.3 

Baseball ... .... ... . ... .. . .... . ... .... .. ... ... . . .. .. .... .. . .... . . .... .. .. . 6,710 5,202 1,508 4.9 8.2 2.1 

Football .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .. ... .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . .... .. ... .. .. ... ... . .. ... . 6,675 5,891 684 4.9 9.4 1.0 

Gymnastics ... .. . .... .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .... .. ..... . . ... .. .. .. .. .. . ... .. . 3,233 1,514 1,719 2.4 2.4 2.4 

Handball .. .. ... .. . .... . ... ... . .. .... .. . ... ... . .... . .. .... .. . ... .. .. .. .. . 2,983 2,300 683 2.2 3.6 0.9 

Track and field ... .. . .. .... . .... .. . . ... . ... .... . . .... . ... ... ... ... .. 1,935 1,375 560 1.4 2.2 0.8 

Soccer .... .. . .. ... .. . .. ... .. .. .. .. . ... ... . .... . ... .. .. .. ... .. . ... .. .. .... . 1,798 1,563 235 1.3 2.5 0.3 

Wrestling .. .. . .... ... .. .. .. .. .... .. . .... . .. ... .. .. .. .. ... ... .. ... . ... .... 1,332 1,110 221 1.0 1.7 0.3 

Others .. ..... . . .... .. .. .. .. .... .... . .. ... .. . .... .. . ... .. .. .... . . .... ... ... 11,070 7,310 3,760 8.2 11.5 5.2 

1 Estimate based on citiian noninstitutionalized population, July-December 1975. 
. 

Figure 2 shows the percent of persons who 

participated in sports by sex. The rate of participation was not greater for women than for men 

in any of the specified types of sports. 

Table 6 shows the number and percent of 

persons who participated in sports by sex and 

whether this participation was as a team member 

or in a tournament during the year before the 

interview. Participation as a team member is proportionally highest for those who bowl (35.5 

percent) and for those who play softball (32.2 

percent). Tournament participation is highest 

for softball (19.4 percent), golf (16.7 percent), 

and bowling (14.4 peccent). 

Figure 2. PERCENT OF PERSONS 20 YEARS OF AGE 

AND OVER WHO PARTICIPATED IN 7 SPECIFIED 

SPORTS, BY SEX. 

Swimming Bowling Tennis Softball Golf Basketball Volleyball 
o ackmecw9 

Table 6. Number and percent of persons 20 years of age and Over by type of sport participant, specific type of sport, and sex 

United States, 1975


m 

Number in thousands 

Type of sport and sex 

Both sexes 

All persons who participated in one type 

of sport or more ...... .................................. 

Swimming ............................................................ 

Bowling .......................................................... ..... 

Tennis ............................. ...................... .............. 

Softball ............................................................... 

Golf ................................... .......................... ....... 

Basketball .......... ................ .................................. 

Volleyball ......................................... ................... 

Baseball .............................................................. 

Football .......................... .................................... 

Gymnastics ......................... ............ ..................... 

Handball .................................... ......................... 

Track and field .... .............................................. 

Soccer ................................................................. 

Wrestling ..................... .. ...................................... 

Other ...................... .................. ...................... .... 

Male 

� One type of sport or more ............................. 

Swimming ............................................................ 

Bowlinq ...... ................ ........................................ 

Tennis ~................................ ................................ 

Softball ............. ................................................. 

Golf .......................... ..................................... .... 

Basketball ... ........................ .............................. ... 

Volleyball ... .................. .... ................................... 

Baseball .............................................................. 

Football ............................ ........ ......................... 

Gymnastics .... ...................................................... 

Handball ............................................................. 

Track and field .................................................. 

Soccer ......................................... ........................ 

Wrestling ............................................................. 

Other .............................................. .................... 

Female 

One type of sport or more ............. ................ 

Swimming ........................................................... 

Bowl ing ...................... ........................................ 

Tennis ................................................................. 

Softball ................................................... ............ 

Golf ....................................................... ............. 

Basketball ........................................................... 

Volleyball ...................................................... ..... 

Baseball .............................................................. 

Football ............................................ .................. 

Gymnastics ......................................................... 

Handball ................ ................... .......................... 

Track and field .......... ........................................ 

Soccer .......................... ...................................... 

Wrestling ............................................................. � Other ..............................p .................. ................

Percent 

100.0 26.9 16.0 

100.0 0.8 0.3 

100.0 35.5 14.4 

100.0 5.2 4.7 

100.0 32.2 19.4 

100.0 13.4 16.7 

100.0 17.8 7.B 

100.0 12.8 4.8 

100.0 12.8 4.5 

100.0 11.2 4.0 

100.0 4.6 0.3 

100.0 8.2 4.5 

100.0 10.0 7.3 

100.0 19.7 7.1 

100.0 4.2 2.5 

100.0 8.2 5.9 

100.0 30.3 21.5 

100.0 1.2 ‘0.4 

100.0 34.7 15.8 

100.0 4.9 6.1 

100.0 37.5 22.9 

100.0 13.6 20.0 

100.0 19.1 8.4 

100.0 11.0 4.6 

100.0 14.2 5.2 

100.0 11.5 4.0 

100.0 “3.4 � 0.1 

100.0 9.2 *4.4 

100.0 12.4 *8.7 

100.0 21.3 8.2 

100.0 ‘5.0 “3.0 

100.0 9.3 7.0 

100.0 22.9 9.7 

100.0 ‘0.3 ‘0.0 

100.0 36.9 13.1 

100.0 5.5 3.1 

100.0 19.6 10.7 

100.0 12.7 8.9 

100.0 12.2 *4.8 

100.0 15.3 5.1 

100.0 *8.1 �2.2 

100.0 *8.5 *4.1 

100.0 *5.6 *. 

100.0 �4.8 �4.8 

100.0 *3.9 *3.9 

100.0 �9.4 *-

100.0 *. *. 

100.0 6.2 3.8 

56,46C 

32,542


21 ,87C


14,965


12,137


I I ,37a


10,514


8,723


6,710


6,675


3,233


2,983


1935


1,798


1,332


11,070 

30,178 

17,000 

10,762 

8,139 

8,599 

8,044 

8,554 

4,917 

5,202 

5,991 

1,514 

2,300 

1,375 

1,563 

1,110 

7,310 

26,283 

15,542 

11,108 

6,826 

3,538 

3,326 

1,960 

3,806 

1,508 

684


1,719


683


560


235


221


3,760 

15,169 I 9,038 

257 86


7,759 3,147


773 706


3,914 2,349


1,622 1,901


1,875 816


1,120 423


B61 304


745 267


148 �II


244 135


193 141


355 128


� 56 *33


912 657


9,153 6,492 

202 *75 

3,665 1,696


398 495


3,222 1,969 

1,098 1,606 

1,636 722


53B 228


739 272


687 239


�5I *II


211 �102


171 ’119


333 128


�56 *33


679 514


6,016 I 2,545 

*54 *I1 

4,095 1,451 

375 211


692 380


424 295


239 �94 

581 195


’122 �33 

“58 �58 

* “97 

*33 *33 

�22 *22 * �22 

* * 

233 143

10 ac’hncedata 

TECHNICAL NOTES 

SOURCE OF DATA. The data presented in this Table 1. Standard errors of estimates of aggregates 

report were obtained from household interviews 

in the Health Interview Survey. These interviews Size of estimate Standard error 

were conducted during the final 2 quarters of in thousands in thousands 

1975 in a probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 States. During thatperiod approximately 58,000 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

persons living in about 20,000 households were 125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

included in the sample. The physical activity 300 . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 questions were asked of each household member 700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 

20 years of age and over who was identified as a 1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 

proximately 12,000 persons. 10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

20,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

342 

478 

SAMPLING. The sampling pattern for sample 30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579 

person selection was based on the total number 

of related and unrelated household members. 

50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

731 

970 

Sample persons (approximately a one-third subsample of the Health Interview Survey sample) 

“sample person. ” This subsample included ap- 5,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 

were selected by the interviewer at the time of


ber to designate as a sample person, the interestimated percentages � 

viewer referred to a preselected flashcard after Estimated percentage 

listing all related and unrelated persons in the 

household on the questionnaire. The flashcard Basa of parentage 

in thousands 

2 5 10 20 

50 

contained, for each household size, one person :; :; ;; :; 

interview. To determine which household mem- Table 11. Standard errors, expressed in percentage points, of


number or more that were to be identified as a


sample person. 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 10.7 14.7 19.6 24.4


100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.8 7.5 10.4 13.8 17.3 

sample of the population rather than on the en- 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 4.3 6.0 8.0 10.0 

tire population, they are subject to sampling 500, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 3.4 4.6 6.2 7.7 

error. Standard errors, appropriate for the estimates of the number of persons are shown in 

700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

5,000 . . . ...<.. . . . . . . . . . 

1.8 

1.5 

0.7 

2.8 

2.4 

1.1 

3.9 

3.3 

1.5 

5.2 

4.4 

2.0 

6.5 

5.5 

2.4 

table I; standard errors appropriate for estimated 10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.4 1,7 

percentages are shown in table II. 20,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.2 

Since the estimates shown are based on a 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 9.0 12.4 16.5 20.7 

LIMITATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF 30,000 

50,000 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

0.3 

0.2 

0.4 

0.3 

0.6 

0.5 

0.8 

0.6 

1.0 

0.8 

DATA. All the limitations and qualifications 100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 

that apply in general to Health Interview Survey 

data” apply to the data shown in this report. A 

full statement of these limitations and qualifications may be found in any report in Series 10 of around the block once a week for exercise and 

Vital and Health Statistics. the person who walks 10 miles every day for 

Specific to the data shown in this report, it exercise. Also it should be emphasized that a 

should be noted that the intensity and duration person who says that he or she does not exercise 

of regular physical exercise and sports participa- regularly may in fact be involved in more physition were not considered in classifying people cal activity than a person who says that they do 

according to participation categories. The cate- exercise regularly. The critical point regarding 

gory classified as exercising regularly does not these data is that they reflect how the person � 

distinguish between the person who takes a walk defines his or her own activity. 
---

o adwmecw 11 

SYMBOLS 

Data not available—-——-—–——————— 

Category not applicable—-————————— . . . 

Quantity zero-— -— 

Quantity more than O but less than 0.05— 0.0 

Figure does not meet standards of 

* reliability or precision —— 

Recent Issues of ..lcfvancc Data From Vital and HcaltIz Statistics 

No. 18. Episodes of Persons Injured: United States, No. 15. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey of 

1975 (Issued: March 7, 1978) Viiits to General and Family Practitioners, 

January-December 1975 (Issued: December 

No. 17.	 Access to Ambulatory Health Care: United 14, 1977) 

States, 1974 (Issued: February 23, 1978) 

No. 16.	 Office Vkits to Internists: National Ambu- No. 14. Weight by Height and Age of Adults 18-74 

latory Medical Care Survey, United States, Years: United States, 1971-74 (Issued: 

1975 (Issued: February 7, 1978) November 30, 1977) 

A complete list of Advance Data From Vital and Health Statistics is available from the Scientific and Technical 

Information Branch. 

GPO 927 120