Current Table

TOP TEN SPORTS BY PARTICIPATION, 2001-2011 (1)
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(millions)

Rank Sport 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011
1 Exercise walking 71.2 79.5 86.0 89.8 93.4 97.1
2 Exercising with equipment 43.0 48.6 54.2 52.9 57.2 55.5
3 Swimming 54.8 47.0 58.0 52.3 50.2 46.0
4 Camping (vacation/overnight) 45.5 51.4 46.0 47.5 50.9 42.8
5 Aerobic exercising 24.3 28.0 33.7 34.8 33.2 42.0
6 Bicycle riding 39.0 36.3 43.1 37.4 38.1 39.1
7 Hiking 26.1 25.0 29.8 28.6 34.0 39.1
8 Running/jogging 24.5 22.9 29.2 30.4 32.2 38.7
9 Bowling 40.3 39.4 45.4 43.5 45.0 34.9
10 Workout at club 26.5 29.5 34.7 36.8 38.3 34.5

(1) Includes people age 7 years old or older who participated more than once. Based on a survey conducted every two years.

Source: National Sporting Goods Association.

 

Archived Tables

TOP TEN SPORTS, RANKED BY 2009 PARTICIPATION (1)
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(millions)

Rank Sport 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009
1 Exercise walking 80.8 78.3 81.6 86.0 89.8 93.4
2 Exercising with equipment 45.2 43.9 50.2 54.2 52.9 57.2
3 Camping (vacation/overnite) 50.1 48.7 53.4 46.0 47.5 50.9
4 Swimming 57.9 54.8 52.3 58.0 52.3 50.2
5 Bowling 41.6 41.9 41.9 45.4 43.5 45.0
6 Workout at club 24.1 26.5 29.5 34.7 36.8 38.3
7 Bicycle riding 42.4 39.0 38.3 41.1 37.4 38.1
8 Weight lifting NA 23.9 25.9 33.5 33.2 34.5
9 Hiking 28.1 26.1 26.7 29.8 28.6 34.0
10 Aerobic exercising 26.2 26.3 28.0 33.7 30.3 33.1

(1) Includes people age 7 years or old who participated more than once. Based on a survey conducted every two years.

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Sporting Goods Association.