The NSW Population Health Survey provides an annual assessment of NSW population levels of physical activity. These surveys assess population levels of physical activity (PA) compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) and Australian National Guidelines of PA to improve health.
WHO (2020) global recommendations on physical activity (minimum) are:
- Adults (aged 18 to 64) should do at least 150 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week – or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity, or an equivalent combination (walking would be considered moderate, whereas running would be considered vigorous).
- Children (aged 5 to 17) should accumulate an average of at least 60 minutes daily of moderate physical activity through play, games, sports, transportation, chores, recreation and/or planned exercise.
NSW data indicates that 23.0% of children aged 5 to 15 years (NSW Child Health Survey 2018-19) and 61.5% of adults (NSW Adult Population Health Survey 2019) met (have adequate) recommended levels of physical activity.
Participation data
Sport Australia provide AusPlay Survey data regarding National and State participation in sport and active recreation. The AusPlay data is released two times per year (April and October) to allow comparisons between consecutive Calendar and/or Financial years. The latest Ausplay data was released on 30th April 2021 and provides measures for the 2020 Calendar year.
To avoid confusion, the Office of Sport has selected one consistent data point to report annual trends. The Office reports participation in sport and active recreation by Calendar year. Trends for annual adult and child participation in sport and recreation (2016-2020) are listed below.
Participated at least 3 times a week (15 years and above)
|
Adults |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Male |
57.9% |
60.2% |
59.5% |
62.7% |
60.7% |
|
Female |
59.7% |
66.2% |
65.6% |
65.1% |
67.0% |
|
Total |
58.8% |
63.2% |
62.6% |
63.9% |
63.9% |
Participated at least 3 times a week outside school hours (0-14 years)
|
Children |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Male |
25.5% |
31.1% |
21.9% |
25.7% |
19.5% |
|
Female |
15.8% |
20.3% |
24.8% |
23.9% |
19.5% |
|
Total |
20.7% |
25.9% |
23.4% |
24.9% |
19.5% |
2020 participation rates in sport and active recreation by NSW adults, remained the same in comparison to 2019 (consistent at 63.9%). Walking (recreational), fitness/gym and swimming remained the most popular activities. The results reflect evidence that a majority of adults prefer self-directed active recreation. Access to most active recreation activities (such as walking and swimming) was only partially impacted during the 2020 public health restrictions.
2020 participation rates in sport and active recreation by NSW children (0-14 years) declined in comparison to 2019 (reduced from 24.9% to 19.5%). Children participate in organised sports at a higher rate than adults. 2020 public health orders directly impacted many organised sports.
2020 Calendar year AusPlay data highlighted that a number of groups participated less regularly in sport and active recreation (defined as three times per week) than the general adult population in NSW (63.9%) including:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders – 55.5%
- People with Disability – 55.7%
- Language other than English – 59.0%