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E-mail: income&modules@cso.ie Maureen Delamere (+353) 21 453 5081 Anne McGrath (+353) 21 453 5487
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN
CSO statistical release, , 11am

QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise

Quarter 2 2013

Participation in sport and physical exercise
% of persons aged 15 years and over
 TotalMaleFemale
Persons who are physically active172.573.271.8
Participate in sport2 also walk for recreational purposes324.125.722.5
Participate in sport2 also walk for utility purposes47.911.04.8
Participate in sport2 but do not walk55.99.02.8
Walk for recreational purposes3 but do not participate in sport234.727.441.7
Persons who are not physically active27.526.828.2
Do not participate in sport2 but walk for utility purposes412.812.413.3
Neither participate in sport2 nor walk5 14.714.415.0
1Includes sport and/or other physical activity, and recreational walking.
2Includes sport and/or other physical activity, but excludes walking.
3For exercise, recreation or leisure.
4For the purpose of getting from place to place.
5Did not take a walk of 15 mins or more in the last month.

Nearly 73% of the population are physically active

Figure 1 Participation in sport and physical activity
go to full release

A module on sport and physical exercise was included in the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in the three months from April to June 2013 (quarter 2). This release presents the results from that module.

 

Summary of main results

  • Nearly 73% of the population do physical activity for the purposes of exercise, recreation or sport. These are made up of the 37.8% of persons who are engaged in sport or other physical activity (other than walking) and the 34.7% of persons who do not participate in sport but do walk for recreational purposes. See headline table and figure 1.
  • Nearly 6 in 10 (58.8%) persons walk for recreational purposes. Over one fifth (20.7%) of persons walk for utility purposes (getting from place to place) while 14.7% of respondents do not participate in physical exercise - neither in a sport/other physical activity nor walking (for either recreational or utility purposes). See headline table and figure 1.
  • For those persons who do not participate in sport/other physical activity nor walk for recreational or utility purposes, lack of time (nearly 35%) was the main reason given for non-participation. About 29% stated that the main reason was 'illness, injury or disability'. Nearly one fifth (18.8%) stated that the main reason was 'lack of motivation'. See table 2.
  • Apart from walking for recreational purposes, aerobics/keep fit/gym was the most popular sport or physical activity (19.2%), particularly for females – nearly 27% of females stated that this was their main sport or physical activity. The second most popular sport or physical activity was swimming (14.2%), followed by cycling (13.6%). See table 3a.
  • Over 8 in 10 persons stated that the main reason for continued participation in sport was 'improving physical health and fitness'. See table 3d. Over two thirds (67.3%) of persons when asked about their principal influence in sport said they 'exercised on their own initiative'. See table 3g.
  • The main additional facility that persons would like to see in their local area was a swimming pool (18.7%), followed by designated on-road cycle routes (11.4%) while 8.1% would like to see public walkways. See table 4.
  • Nearly 4 in 10 persons (39.3%) are not a member of any sports or fitness club, while nearly 57% are a member of one sports or fitness club. Just over 4% have membership of two or more sports or fitness clubs. See table 5.

Walking for recreational purposes

Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) of the population walk for recreational purposes. Nearly two thirds (64.2%) of females walk for recreational purposes. There were high participation rates across all age groups, particularly the 25-64 years age group. Nearly one quarter (24.1%) of the population participate in a sporting activity in addition to walking for recreational purposes. See table 1a. Almost one fifth (19.3%) of retired persons participate in sport or physical exercise as well as walking for recreational purposes. See table 1a and figure 2.

MaleFemale
Walks mostly for recreational purposes53.1764.17
Walks mostly for utility purposes23.3918.1
Non-walker23.4417.74

The most popular place, by far, for walking for recreational purposes was the local neighbourhood (77.2%). This was well ahead of the second most popular place for walking, the local park at 9.1%. In the South-East and South-West regions, almost 82% of persons walked mainly in the local neighbourhood compared with about 72% in the Mid-East and Midland regions. In densely populated areas, the local park was the second most popular place for walking (14.2%). In thinly populated areas, the second most popular place for recreational walking was countryside trails and forests at nearly 7%. See table 1b and figure 3.

""
MaleFemale
Local neighbourhood74.2979.48
Local park9.888.42
Public walkways5.234.56
Countryside trails
and forests		5.84.14
Hills and mountains1.250.74
Other3.542.67

Nearly 14% of persons walking for recreational purposes, walk at least 5 times a week, for 30-60 minutes at a 'fairly brisk/fast' pace, while over 12% of persons walk for recreational purposes for the same time duration and pace, 3-4 times a week. In the 25-34 and 35-44 years age groups, some 16% of persons walk for recreational purposes 3-4 times a week, for 30-60 minutes at a 'fairly brisk/fast' pace. See table 1c.

Nearly 15% of persons did not take a walk (of 15 minutes or more) or participate in any sport or other physical activity in the previous month. Overall, lack of time was the main reason given for non-participation - either lack of time due to work (21.5%) or lack of time due to family commitments (13.3%). About 29% stated that the main reason was 'illness, injury or disability' while nearly one-fifth (18.8%) stated that their main reason for non-participation was 'lack of motivation'. Nearly half (48.7%) of all persons in the 65 years plus age group stated that their main reason for non-participation was 'illness, injury or disability' while 28.6% of that group stated that 'age' was their main reason. See tables 1a and 2.

Participation in sport

Nearly 4 in 10 (37.8%) persons participate in sport and/or other physical activity (excluding walking). See table 1a and headline table. The top three sports are individual sports, rather than team sports - aerobics/keep fit/gym (the main sport of 19.2% of persons), followed by swimming (14.2%) and then cycling (13.6%).  Over a quarter (26.5%) of females stated that aerobics/keep fit/gym was their main sport/physical activity. Swimming is the second most popular sporting activity (14.2%). This is the main activity for over one fifth (21.5%) of females. Nearly 3 in 10 (29.8%) of all persons in the 65 years plus age group stated that golf was their main sport. Some 13% of males as opposed to 4% of females stated that golf was their main sport. For the 65 years plus age group, swimming is the second most popular sport or physical activity at nearly 16%. Cycling is the third most popular sport, with nearly 16% of males and over 10% of females stating that this was their main sport. It is the most popular sport in the 45-54 years age group (19.7%). Athletics follows as the fourth most popular sport at just under 10%. See tables 1a and 3a, and figure 4.

% of persons
Aerobics Keep Fit Gym19.2
Swimming14.2
Cycling13.6
Athletics9.9
Golf9.3
Soccer7.7
Gaelic Football4.3
Yoga/Pilates2.6
Dance2.2
Hurling & camogie1.9
Tennis1.7
Rugby1.6
Other11.9

Over 10% of persons participate in sport and/or other physical activity (excluding walking) 3-4 times a week for over one hour (for each session) hard effort (*) while 14% participate in sport 3-4 times a week for 30-60 minutes (for each session) moderate or hard effort. Over 13% of males participate in sport 3-4 times a week for over one hour (for each session) hard effort. Over one fifth of persons in the 65 years plus age group participate in sport for over one hour (for each session) 1-2 times a week moderate effort. Some 11% of persons participated in sport or physical activity less than once a week.

*Hard effort - breathing heavily, much faster heart rate.

  Moderate effort - increased breathing and heart rate.

  Light effort - mild increase in breathing rate.

The main additional facility that people involved in sport (excluding walking) would like to see in their local area was a swimming pool at nearly 19%, followed by designated on-road cycle routes at over 11%. Nearly 23% of persons in 'thinly populated areas' would like to see a swimming pool in their local area as would 19.4% of persons engaged on home duties. See tables 3b and 4.

Motivation for continued participation in sport

Over four fifths of persons (81.9%) stated that 'improving physical health and fitness' was their main motivation for continued participation in sport, particularly so for females at 87.1%. This is well ahead of 'social element' in second place at 7.7%. For over 12% of persons in the 65 years plus age group, 'social element' was their main motivation for continued participation in sport. See table 3e.

Influences in sport

For persons who participate in sport, over two thirds (67.3%), when asked about their principal influence in sport, said that they 'exercised on own inititative'. This was well ahead of  'other significant adults’ (friend or family member) in second place at 14%. 'Other significant adults' was a greater influence for females at nearly 16% than for males (13%). The 'local sports club' is the third most important influence at 12.4% overall. This is particularly so for males at 15.7%. The 'local sports club' was also the most important influence in sport for nearly one quarter of students (23.3%). See table 3g and figure 5.

MaleFemale
Exercised on own initiative65.1170.51
Other significant adults12.8615.64
Local sports club15.657.5
Sports coach or trainer2.962.3
Teacher1.172.2
Local sports partnership0.620.44
Other1.621.4

Membership of sports or fitness clubs

Nearly 4 in 10 (39.3%) persons are not a member of any sports or fitness club, while nearly 6 in 10 (56.6%) of both males and females are a member of one sports or fitness club. Over 7% of persons in the 15-24 years age group are members of two sports or fitness clubs, while 2.2% of that age group have membership of three or more sports or fitness clubs. See table 5.

1 sports/fitness club2 sports/fitness clubs3+ sports/fitness clubsNo membership
Male56.584.871.2137.35
Female56.632.060.2341.08
Table 1(a) Participation in walking, sport and/or other physical activity.
        % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Walks mostly for recreational purposes1 Walks mostly for utility purposes2 Does not walk3 Unweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
   
Participates in sport/other activity No other activity  Participates in sport/other activityNo other activity  Participates in sport/other activityNo other activity  
State24.134.7 7.912.8 5.914.7 15,860
Sex
Male25.727.4 11.012.4 9.014.4 6,387
Female22.541.7 4.813.3 2.815.0 9,473
Age group24.722.9 19.216.1 8.58.7 791
15-24   
25-3429.630.0 10.313.1 7.59.5 2,551
35-4428.033.9 7.110.6 7.512.9 3,408
45-5424.740.3 4.312.3 4.014.4 2,850
55-6420.744.2 3.512.2 3.216.3 2,562
65+14.038.9 2.413.2 3.428.0 3,698
Region
 Border16.133.8 4.812.9 6.725.7 1,836
 Midland22.439.6 3.99.2 7.317.6 989
 West23.838.1 7.411.3 4.914.5 1,533
 Dublin28.927.5 12.916.6 4.010.1 3,659
 Mid-East24.338.8 5.411.7 6.513.2 1,582
 Mid-West26.636.2 6.57.1 10.912.7 1,550
 South-East18.337.0 6.713.9 6.417.7 1,912
 South-West24.439.1 6.011.4 5.014.2 2,799
Degree of urbanisation
Densely populated27.328.2 14.016.4 3.910.2 4,798
Intermediate populated25.134.5 6.314.0 7.212.9 3,806
Thinly populated20.840.4 3.59.1 6.819.5 7,256
Principal economic status          
At work29.732.97.910.76.812.07,331
Unemployed19.336.09.518.75.311.21,405
Student25.720.320.914.810.57.8636
Home duties14.444.12.915.81.920.93,133
Retired19.341.32.910.73.822.02,627
Other9.436.52.515.63.832.3728
1Walking for exercise, recreation or leisure.     
2Walking for the purpose of getting from A to B. 
3Did not take a walk of 15 mins or more in the last month. 
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 1a (XLS 14KB)
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Table 1b Persons who walked for recreational1 purposes classified by where they mainly walk
     % of persons aged 15 years and over
  Local neighbourhoodLocal parkPublic walkwaysCountryside trails and forestsHills and mountainsOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State 77.29.14.94.91.03.19,682
Sex        
Male74.39.95.25.81.33.53,524
Female79.58.44.64.10.72.76,158
Age group       
15-2476.211.93.45.30.82.3396
25-3473.211.07.24.71.12.91,572
35-4476.38.36.25.10.83.32,192
45-5478.57.84.44.91.23.21,903
55-6479.48.52.75.11.42.91,673
65+80.97.33.64.10.53.61,946
Region       
 Border80.76.54.55.00.42.9944
 Midland71.76.87.111.80.22.5611
 West79.36.67.24.01.01.9985
 Dublin75.216.13.31.51.22.72,130
 Mid-East71.58.06.69.21.23.41,039
 Mid-West75.78.15.66.11.03.41,001
 South-East81.65.03.84.81.53.41,138
 South-West81.65.14.14.50.64.11,834
Degree of urbanisation       
 Densely populated75.614.24.82.01.12.32,783
 Intermediate populated73.79.37.75.20.73.52,357
 Thinly populated80.35.03.36.91.03.44,542
Principal economic status       
 At work75.09.15.95.41.23.34,773
 Unemployed79.68.93.54.20.92.9820
 Student74.212.94.55.91.31.2319
 Home duties82.67.44.03.20.52.31,848
 Retired79.98.22.94.80.43.71,583
Other78.29.83.14.20.24.4339
1 For exercise, recreation or leisure.  
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 1b (XLS 14KB)
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Table 1c Persons who walk for recreational purposes1 by frequency, duration and intensity of effort
                                   % of persons aged 15 years and over
   At least 5 times a week 3-4 times a week 1-2 times a week At least once a monthLess oftenUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
   Over one hour 30-60 mins <30 mins Over one hour 30-60 mins <30 mins Over one hour 30-60 mins <30 mins 
   Intensity of effort Intensity of effort Intensity of effort 
   Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 Fast2Steady3Slow4 
State 6.93.70.3 13.811.11.3 1.93.11.1 3.52.20.2 12.110.61.1 1.52.71.0 1.61.20.1 4.66.00.9 0.92.20.9 2.60.89,682
Sex 7.64.50.4 11.611.71.5 2.33.51.3 3.32.60.3 10.69.41.0 1.72.61.0 1.91.30.2 5.06.40.8 0.92.20.8 2.70.93,524
Male          
Female 6.33.00.2 15.610.71.2 1.72.70.9 3.61.90.1 13.211.51.2 1.42.70.9 1.31.00.1 4.35.71.1 1.02.31.0 2.50.76,158
Age group 
15-24 7.13.1. 18.47.11.0 3.64.0. 4.43.5. 13.47.10.4 3.22.30.2 1.80.80.3 6.43.71.4 1.22.2. 2.80.9396
25-34 6.53.60.5 12.38.11.2 2.42.40.4 4.02.10.4 15.79.91.0 1.52.40.5 2.31.00.1 6.26.60.8 1.21.80.6 3.51.01,572
35-44 7.22.30.1 13.58.90.4 1.72.30.3 4.21.80.2 16.19.71.0 1.52.10.6 2.11.30.2 6.17.31.0 1.32.50.5 2.80.82,192
45-54 8.53.00.1 16.010.41.2 1.32.20.7 4.51.90.1 12.310.70.7 1.92.50.3 1.71.20.1 4.67.20.6 0.92.20.3 2.30.61,903
55-64 7.64.30.4 15.014.71.6 1.73.81.3 2.42.50.2 8.413.41.6 0.72.50.9 1.01.50.3 2.75.00.8 0.41.91.3 1.90.41,673
65+ 4.06.50.6 8.519.33.0 1.34.74.3 0.81.80.3 3.612.62.1 0.74.63.6 0.21.1. 0.74.61.3 0.53.03.3 1.91.01,946
1 Walking for exercise, recreation or leisure. 
2 Fairly brisk/fast pace. 
3 Steady/average pace. 
4 Slow pace. 
. Denotes zero.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.    
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 1(c) (XLS 16KB)
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Table 2 Persons who do not participate in walking or any other form of sport or physical activity by main reason for non-participation
       % of persons aged 15 years and over
  Illness injury or disabilityLack of time due to workLack of motivationLack of time due to family commitmentsAgeToo expensivePersonal safetyLack of facilitiesLack of transportOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State 29.121.518.813.39.01.60.50.30.15.72,680
Sex  
Male25.827.321.97.77.32.40.30.4.6.91,079
Female32.016.116.018.510.60.90.60.30.34.61,601
Age group  
15-247.127.631.29.3.8.8..1.614.467
25-3410.234.821.723.30.31.70.30.9.6.9263
35-4411.539.316.924.4.1.60.60.2.5.5448
45-5426.029.621.315.60.71.6.0.3.4.9405
55-6442.215.723.49.91.70.70.80.2.5.4433
65+48.72.311.64.328.6.0.70.3.3.51,064
Region 
 Border21.724.523.310.011.03.10.10.10.75.4526
 Midland30.017.620.914.89.31.41.5..4.5191
 West33.620.217.39.211.5.0.6..7.7254
 Dublin33.617.416.717.37.53.20.20.2.3.9427
 Mid-East28.225.520.813.05.30.40.30.8.5.6220
 Mid-West32.918.721.211.97.81.10.40.7.5.2235
 South-East25.421.519.912.69.11.20.90.2.9.3362
 South-West31.324.412.115.99.90.30.40.6.5.0465
Degree of urbanisation           
 Densely populated34.518.315.416.37.42.50.30.2.5.3582
 Intermediate populated31.821.222.011.76.01.10.30.1.5.6561
 Thinly populated25.623.019.212.610.91.40.60.40.36.01,537
Principal economic status           
 At work9.546.919.915.70.90.90.20.3.5.7909
 Unemployed17.53.641.716.22.29.80.91.1.7.2177
 Student[3.8][29.0][29.6][2.6].[8.8]..[2.6][23.5]49
 Home duties40.91.715.620.216.80.20.70.3.3.7708
 Retired47.70.713.34.928.2.0.60.4.4.0593
 Other84.70.54.25.92.3.0.8..1.6244
             
. Denotes zero.
Figures in parentheses [ ] indicate percentages based on small numbers, and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 2 (XLS 15KB)
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Table 3(a) Persons who participate in sport and/or physical activity1by main sport
           % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Aerobics Keep Fit GymSwimmingCycling2Athletics3GolfSoccer4Gaelic Football5Yoga/ PilatesDanceHurling & camogie6TennisRugby7OtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State19.214.213.69.99.37.74.32.62.21.91.71.611.95,101
Sex
Male14.29.315.89.913.012.76.20.20.42.51.52.112.32,484
Female26.521.510.39.83.80.51.66.14.91.02.10.811.32,617
Age group
15-2423.610.06.17.73.312.611.20.41.75.31.04.113.2396
25-3423.410.813.413.42.912.05.62.42.21.90.91.99.41,118
35-4417.216.415.816.05.67.91.83.41.30.91.90.911.01,329
45-5416.218.019.76.613.32.21.54.21.70.43.40.212.7884
55-6412.920.118.54.323.70.80.23.12.40.42.50.211.0669
65+13.315.510.60.829.80.3.2.97.1.1.9.17.8705
Region
 Border21.515.714.611.56.67.310.00.92.6.0.70.58.0421
 Midland14.717.918.88.26.95.55.82.72.21.80.61.114.0303
 West16.616.118.19.86.54.45.92.52.94.20.32.210.7473
Dublin23.011.812.011.010.28.23.53.11.50.62.51.311.11,513
 Mid-East16.313.814.09.513.16.74.53.01.61.81.70.513.5517
Mid-West17.717.311.49.38.67.23.11.53.84.21.53.211.1567
 South-East17.713.613.25.612.212.30.61.81.83.90.82.314.4486
South-West16.015.113.410.47.08.04.53.13.11.52.61.813.6821
Degree of urbanisation              
 Densely populated23.112.310.99.89.58.53.92.81.71.62.41.811.71,880
 Intermediate populated17.316.712.79.79.49.04.12.01.91.41.92.012.01,267
Thinly populated15.614.817.610.19.05.94.92.73.12.50.80.912.01,954
Principal economic status              
 At work19.013.615.212.28.87.03.62.91.81.62.21.510.63001
 Unemployed22.412.715.96.14.117.52.90.81.01.20.40.214.7413
 Student20.19.57.28.83.312.312.20.42.04.90.94.514.0338
 Home duties23.926.59.27.97.3.0.37.05.20.32.20.110.2581
 Retired10.116.613.72.133.50.3.2.74.00.21.5.15.5663
 Other18.622.523.64.26.74.41.4.4.3.1.8.12.7105
1 Excludes walking.    
2 Includes mountain biking, off road, on road and track.  
3 Includes running (cross country, middle distance, mountain, track and field) and jogging.  
4 Includes indoor, outdoor and 5-a-side.   
5 Includes Peil Abú.   
6 Includes Camán Abú.
7 Includes Rugby League, Rugby Union and tag rugby.
. Denotes zero.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(a) (XLS 16KB)
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Table 3(b) Persons who participate in sport and/or other physical activity1 by frequency, duration and intensity of effort.
                                % of persons aged 15 years and over
   At least 5 times a week 3-4 times a week 1-2 times a week At least once a monthLess oftenUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
   Over one hour 30-60 mins <30 mins Over one hour  30-60 mins <30 mins Over one hour 30-60 mins <30 mins 
   Intensity of effort Intensity of effort Intensity of effort 
   Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 Hard2 Moderate3Light4 
State 3.82.20.1 1.92.60.4 0.30.90.3 10.16.01.1 6.47.60.8 0.21.10.3 9.611.92.7 4.810.22.5 0.10.90.6 7.92.65,101
Sex 
Male 5.32.40.2 2.12.50.4 0.10.70.2 13.17.21.4 5.95.60.6 0.11.20.2 11.013.53.0 3.66.71.2 0.00.70.4 8.22.32,484
Female 1.71.90.1 1.62.70.3 0.51.10.4 5.74.30.7 7.110.40.9 0.31.00.5 7.49.72.3 6.715.44.4 0.31.10.9 7.33.22,617
Age group
15-24 7.42.8. 1.71.00.6 0.30.1. 18.25.20.9 6.27.8. 0.31.0. 13.78.81.4 3.07.82.1 0.21.2. 5.43.1396
25-34 3.81.5. 3.03.40.4 0.20.80.2 13.65.20.2 10.47.10.9 0.10.80.1 11.88.11.4 6.29.01.8 0.10.30.7 7.31.81,118
35-44 3.51.70.2 1.62.20.3 0.40.90.2 7.14.30.8 7.48.90.5 0.11.00.3 8.911.32.4 7.512.03.4 0.11.10.9 8.52.31,329
45-54 2.22.70.1 2.13.20.2 0.31.10.2 6.46.61.9 4.17.71.2 0.31.80.3 7.114.92.1 4.612.52.3 0.10.70.5 9.53.3884
55-64 1.82.60.2 0.73.40.6 0.31.60.2 2.99.11.4 2.58.31.5 0.11.71.1 5.518.26.3 2.410.92.2 .1.10.6 9.43.3669
65+ 1.52.90.8 1.22.70.5 .1.61.8 2.610.63.6 1.13.61.5 .1.01.2 3.320.47.3 1.510.83.8 0.41.21.3 9.03.0705
1 Excludes walking.                               
2 Breathing heavily, much faster heart rate.
3 Increased breathing and heart rate.
4 Mild increase in breathing rate.
. Denotes zero.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values. 
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3b (XLS 16KB)
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Table 3(c) Participation in main sport and/or other physical activity1 by main type of participation 
    % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Informal/casualOrganised activities2Organised competitionProfessional / semi-professionalUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
All sports60.924.114.40.75,101
Aerobics Keep Fit Gym63.934.50.70.9942
Swimming91.77.80.5.865
Cycling389.78.41.8.733
Athletics480.410.58.90.2481
Golf45.920.134.0.549
Soccer541.229.728.90.2254
Gaelic Football612.527.659.40.5122
Yoga/Pilates23.276.3.0.5180
Dance29.668.30.41.8158
Hurling & camogie77.913.678.5.57
Tennis42.031.626.4.100
Rugby8[23.4][32.6][39.0][5.1]47
Other42.034.221.42.4613
1 Excludes walking.
2 Activities, classes or lessons but non-competitive.
3 Includes mountain biking, off-road, on-road and track.
4 Includes running (cross country, middle distance, mountain, track and field) and jogging.
5 Includes indoor, outdoor and 5-a-side.
6 Includes Peil Abú.
7 Includes Camán Abú.
8 Includes Rugby League, Rugby Union and tag rugby.
. Denotes zero.
Figures in parentheses [ ] indicate percentages based on small numbers, and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(c) (XLS 13KB)
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Table 3(d) Participation in main sport1 and/or other physical activity by main motivation for continued participation
        
  Improving physical health and fitnessSocial elementImproving mental well-beingParticipation in competitionsImproving performanceOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
 
State81.97.74.22.61.91.65,101
Aerobics Keep Fit Gym94.21.43.0.0.80.6942
Swimming87.73.84.80.10.63.1865
Cycling288.92.25.00.50.72.6733
Athletics391.22.14.01.01.20.6481
Golf62.322.55.76.03.10.3549
Soccer472.220.52.03.31.10.8254
Gaelic Football570.612.40.511.23.91.4122
Yoga/Pilates92.30.46.3.0.60.3180
Dance77.116.83.8..2.4158
Hurling & camogie668.214.3.13.24.3.57
Tennis75.312.46.43.01.61.3100
Rugby7[55.8][13.1][7.4][16.4][7.3].47
Other70.49.56.04.95.73.6613
1 Excludes walking.
2 Includes mountain biking, off-road, on-road and track.    
3 Includes running (cross country, middle distance, mountain, track and field) and jogging. 
4 Includes indoor, outdoor and 5-a-side.     
5 Includes Peil Abú.     
6 Includes Camán Abú.     
7 Includes Rugby League, Rugby Union and tag rugby.    
. Denotes zero.
Figures in parentheses [ ] indicate percentages based on small numbers, and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.  
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(d) (XLS 13KB)
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Table 3(e) Motivation for continued participation in sport and/or other physical activity1
     % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Improving physical health and fitnessSocial elementImproving mental well-beingParticipation in competitionsImproving performanceOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State81.97.74.22.61.91.65,101
Sex78.49.64.23.72.61.52,484
Male
Female87.14.94.21.10.91.82,617
Age group78.89.61.94.34.11.3396
15-24
25-3482.95.84.82.72.01.71,118
35-4484.56.35.21.31.11.71,329
45-5482.27.35.52.70.91.3884
55-6483.28.73.22.31.11.5669
65+78.012.24.31.90.72.9705
Region
 Border77.99.44.42.52.13.8421
 Midland79.37.84.23.53.71.4303
 West78.79.45.22.92.01.8473
 Dublin83.97.53.52.21.71.21,513
 Mid-East78.78.86.32.82.21.2517
 Mid-West85.04.85.61.91.21.5567
 South-East79.79.54.33.91.11.5486
 South-West84.56.12.72.62.31.9821
Degree of urbanisation       
Densely populated83.08.23.62.41.81.11,880
Intermediate populated82.87.03.72.71.82.11,267
Thinly populated80.07.75.32.82.12.01,954
Principal economic status       
At work83.46.84.62.41.41.43,001
Unemployed81.47.23.92.62.62.4413
Student76.210.82.25.04.41.4338
Home duties85.16.35.00.30.72.6581
Retired80.011.14.12.01.01.8663
Other81.35.57.41.01.53.2105
1 Excludes walking. 
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(e) (XLS 14KB)
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Table 3(f) Sports participation classified by where sport is played most often
 % of persons aged 15 years and over
 All sportsUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
All locations100.05,101
Public places24.41,241
Sports club27.61,250
Gym24.01,243
Public swimming pool6.4383
School college or university2.790
Community hall2.8192
Countryside3.2166
Other8.8536
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors which are relatively greater in
respect of smaller values. 
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(f) (XLS 11KB)
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Table 3(g) Persons who participate in sport and/or other physical activity1 classified by main influences in sport
     % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Exercised on own initiativeOther significant adultsLocal sports clubSports coach or trainerTeacherLocal sports partnershipOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State67.314.012.42.71.60.61.55,101
Sex        
Male65.112.915.73.01.20.61.62,484
Female70.515.67.52.32.20.41.42,617
Age group        
15-2451.513.821.66.04.80.51.8396
25-3468.114.612.12.51.20.70.81,118
35-4471.414.99.32.20.70.41.31,329
45-5471.714.19.21.60.60.82.0884
55-6477.310.69.00.30.3.2.5669
65+73.914.08.01.30.50.51.8705
Region        
 Border61.518.012.23.70.91.22.5421
 Midland58.323.57.24.44.8.1.9303
 West65.912.013.85.60.60.81.3473
 Dublin71.112.610.42.12.10.61.21513
 Mid-East74.210.711.31.01.40.31.1517
 Mid-West63.616.715.30.70.40.62.7567
 South-East67.212.214.83.61.40.40.4486
 South-West62.914.615.53.21.40.32.0821
Degree of urbanisation        
Densely populated68.812.411.73.01.90.71.71880
Intermediate populated67.815.010.62.81.40.51.81267
Thinly populated65.115.314.52.31.30.41.21954
Principal economic status        
At work70.014.211.02.20.80.51.23001
Unemployed67.512.212.91.80.81.33.5413
Student50.013.223.36.55.90.40.6338
Home duties72.917.34.81.51.60.61.3581
Retired74.613.68.41.10.3.2.0663
 Other70.29.17.22.40.6.10.5105
1Excludes walking.        
. Denotes zero.
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 3(g) (XLS 14KB)
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Table 4 Main additional facilities persons1 would like to see in their local area
          % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Swimming poolDesignated on-road cycle routesPublic walkwaysGym or community sports centrePlaying pitchesOther sports club facilitiesOff-road cycle trailsLocal park/ green spaceAll weather facilitiesFloodlightsOtherUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State18.711.48.16.14.72.01.91.71.30.343.95,101
Sex
Male17.111.77.36.06.32.22.51.51.50.343.52,484
Female20.910.99.36.22.41.81.02.10.90.244.42,617
Age group
15-2419.57.82.99.67.81.83.20.61.20.245.6396
25-3419.911.95.36.34.71.52.32.81.30.343.81,118
35-4419.713.89.95.05.02.41.72.81.70.337.61,329
45-5419.713.811.36.03.42.61.20.91.20.639.4884
55-6414.912.114.02.32.11.90.71.11.2.49.7669
65+13.07.312.04.31.72.00.40.30.70.357.9705
Region
Border13.910.810.16.55.23.13.00.80.50.445.7421
Midland12.510.512.74.23.72.2.2.10.71.150.2303
West22.917.912.95.06.11.51.81.24.30.925.8473
Dublin21.19.93.35.44.11.31.61.11.0.51.21,513
Mid-East25.512.611.65.03.04.90.95.21.40.829.2517
Mid-West10.811.010.09.05.31.22.70.91.30.247.7567
South-East14.58.89.49.44.52.53.01.11.20.145.3486
South-West18.012.48.95.76.61.42.02.10.6.42.3821
Degree of urbanisation
Densely populated19.410.33.75.44.71.32.21.21.30.250.31,880
Intermediate populated11.810.99.04.13.74.11.62.50.60.351.31,267
Thinly populated22.613.112.98.45.41.51.61.81.70.430.61,954
Principal economic status
At work18.812.98.95.65.12.21.21.81.40.341.93,001
Unemployed19.08.36.26.15.61.96.92.60.80.641.9413
Student19.89.83.39.46.11.92.80.21.70.145.0338
Home duties19.411.89.65.90.81.70.73.61.10.345.0581
Retired13.68.012.53.22.11.90.50.70.60.156.9663
Other21.83.66.38.53.11.51.42.20.81.149.6105
1Excludes persons who do not participate in sport or other physical activity.     
. Denotes zero.    
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 4 (XLS 14KB)
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Table 5 Membership of sports or fitness clubs
    % of persons aged 15 years and over
 Member of one sports or fitness clubMember of two sports or fitness clubsMember of three or more sports or fitness clubsNot a member of any sports or fitness clubsUnweighted sample (number of persons aged 15 years and over)
State56.63.40.739.315,860
Sex56.64.91.237.46,387
 Male
 Female56.62.10.241.19,473
Age group52.87.22.237.8791
 15-24
 25-3457.13.70.438.82,551
 35-4455.43.20.640.93,408
 45-5456.82.80.639.92,850
 55-6461.12.30.436.22,562
 65+57.11.60.341.03,698
Region     
 Border82.02.50.614.91,836
 Midland54.92.90.342.0989
 West56.55.63.434.51,533
 Dublin50.03.40.346.23,659
 Mid-East47.33.80.248.71,582
 Mid-West48.02.50.548.91,550
 South-East48.03.10.548.31,912
 South-West69.53.40.626.62,799
Degree of urbanisation 
Densely populated51.04.11.243.74,798
Intermediate populated55.82.90.440.93,806
Thinly populated61.93.10.534.57,256
Principal economic status 
At work57.13.60.738.67,331
Unemployed55.43.10.341.21,405
Student51.98.62.537.0636
Home duties57.31.00.141.53,133
Retired57.62.40.439.62,627
Other60.00.80.239.1728
Data may be subject to sampling and other survey errors, which are relatively greater in respect of smaller values.
Open in Excel: QNHS Sport and Physical Exercise Module Q2 2013 Table 5 (XLS 10KB)
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Background Notes

Reference Period A module on sport and physical exercise was included in the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in the three months from April to June 2013 (quarter 2).

Purpose of survey The QNHS began in September 1997, replacing the annual April Labour Force Survey (LFS). The purpose of the survey is the production of quarterly labour force estimates and occasional reports on special social topics. The survey meets the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No. 577/98, adopted in March 1998, which requires the introduction of quarterly labour force surveys in EU member states.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire focused on people’s involvement in physical activity for exercise, recreation or sport. The purpose of the survey was to assess the extent to which people participate in sport and physical activity in Ireland today.

Individual Reference Person

This module was asked of persons aged 15 years and over.

Grossing Effect

The QNHS grossing procedure aligns the distribution of persons covered in the survey with independently determined population estimates at the level of sex, five-year age group and region.

Reliability of Estimates Presented

Estimates for number of persons where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables.

Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wide margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses [ ].

Note on tables

The sum of row or column percentages in the tables in this report may differ slightly from 100.0%.

Classifications

Region

The regional classification in this release is based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The NUTS3 regions correspond to the eight Regional Authorities established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993, which came into operation on 1 January 1994. The NUTS2 regions, which were proposed by Government and agreed by Eurostat in 1999, are groupings of the NUTS3 regions. The composition of the regions is set out below.

Border, Midlands and Western NUTS 2 Region

Border

Cavan

Donegal

Leitrim

Louth

Monaghan

Sligo

Midland

Laois

Longford

Offaly

Westmeath

West

Galway City

Galway County

Mayo

Roscommon

Southern and Eastern NUTS2 Region

Dublin

Dublin

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

Fingal

South Dublin

Mid-East

Kildare

Meath

Wicklow

Mid-West

Clare

Limerick City

Limerick County

North Tipperary

South-East

Carlow

Kilkenny

South Tipperary

Waterford City

Waterford County

Wexford

South-West

Cork City

Cork County

Kerry 

Principal Economic Status

The Principal Economic Status (PES) classification is based on a single question (in the QNHS) in which respondents are asked what their usual situation is with regard to employment. The following are the response categories:

At work

Unemployed

Student

Engaged on home duties

Retired

Other

Degree of urbanisation

This classification is created from an aggregation of population density estimates derived from the Census of Population. The categories included in each aggregate are explained below:

Densely populated

County boroughs

Suburbs of county boroughs

Mixed urban/rural bordering county boroughs

Intermediate populated

Towns with populations greater than 5,000

Mixed urban/rural areas bordering larger towns

Towns with populations between 1,000 and 5,000

Thinly populated

Mixed urban/rural areas bordering smaller towns

Rural areas in counties

Towns with populations less than 1,000

QNHS Social Modules

While the main purpose of the QNHS is the production of quarterly labour force estimates, there is also a provision for the collection of data on social topics through the inclusion of special survey modules. The selection of the major national modules undertaken to date has been largely based on the results of a canvass of users (over 100 organisations) that was conducted by the CSO in 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008 and most recently 2011. The results of the canvass are presented to the National Statistics Board and they are asked to indicate their priorities for the years ahead. The schedule for social modules in any given year is based on the following structure:

Quarter 1

Annual modules including Accidents and Illness and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).

Quarter 2

EU module (always covered under EU legislation)

Quarter 3

National module.

Quarter 4

National module.

The table below outlines some of the social modules published to date in the QNHS.

Quarter  Social Module

Q3 2012  Effect of Households of the Economic Downturn

Q2 2012  Retirement Planning

Q2 2012  Parental Involvement in Children’s Education

Q2 2012  Union Membership

Q1 2012  Unemployment Thematic Report

Q2 2011  Response of Households to the Economic Downturn

Q2 2011  Educational Attainment Thematic Report

Q2 2011  Voter Participation

Q4 2010  Equality

Q3 2010  Health

Q2 2010  Cross Border Shopping

Q2 2010  Educational Attainment

Q1 2010  Crime and Victimisation

Q4 2009  Pensions

Q3 2009  Carers

Q2 2009  Union Membership

Q2 2009  Cross Border Shopping

Q3 2008  Lifelong Learning

Q1 2008  Pension Provision

Q4 2007  Childcare

Q3 2007  Health

Q2 2007  Union Membership

Q1 2007  Work–related Accidents and Illness (Q1 2003-Q1 2007)

Q4 2006  Crime and Victimisation

Q3 2006  Sport and Physical Exercise

Q4 2005  Pension Provision

Q4 2005  Special Saving Incentive Accounts (SSIAs)

Q3 2005  Recycling and Energy Conservation

Q2 2005  Reconciliation Between Work and Family Life

Q2 2005  Educational Attainment

Q1 2005  Childcare

Q4 2004  Equality

Q2 2004  Union Membership

Q2 2004  Work Organisation and working time

Q4 2003  Crime and Victimisation

Q3 2003  Housing

Q2 2003  Life long learning

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Contact:

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