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The notion that 'sports means health and
health means wealth' is gaining increasing acceptance in Singapore,
judging from the results of the Singapore Sports Council's (SSC) latest
2005 National Sports Participation Survey (NSPS). |
In the past five years, the sports arena in
Singapore has not only experienced an increase in participation levels,
but the variety of sports played has also broadened. |
The incidence of regular sports participants
has risen since the last NSPS conducted in 2001. |
The 2005 survey revealed that 48% of
Singaporeans participate in some form of sports / exercise at least once
a week with more than half (25%) of doing so at least 3 times per week. |
Singaporeans are also engaging in a wider
variety for sports such as gym workout, in-line skating and beach
volleyball. |
Daniel Metcalfe, Chief, Industry Development
and High Participation at SSC said: "We are very encouraged by the 48%
sports participation rate as it is an increase of 10% from 2001. More
significantly, the increase in the variety of sports played means that
Singaporeans are now keen to try out different types of sports. This
shift in participation patterns presents unique opportunities for SSC
and its partners to engage Singaporeans to participate in sports outside
of the 'traditional' types of sports. The combined increase in
participation rate and interest in a wider variety of sports suggests
that sports is becoming a lifestyle option of choice in Singapore." |
The regular sports participation rate has
improved significantly across all age-categories. |
The most impressive increase was among the
young adults, registering a growth rate of 38%. Middle-aged adults and
teens also performed impressively with growth rates of 26% and 22%
respectively. |
Comparatively, the Senior Citizens category
experienced a more modest growth of 12%. The survey also revealed an
increase of 10% female participation in sports from 32% in 2001 to 42%
in 2005. |
The popularity of sports varies among
different segments groups and reveals certain patterns, motivations and
needs behind sports participation. |
For teens, there is a greater emphasis on
team/competitive sports while the senior citizens displayed a preference
for low-intensity sports that are less strenuous. |
Yoga and rhythmic exercise is popular
amongst females while males prefer soccer/football and fishing. |
Overall, the top three most popular sports
in Singapore are jogging, swimming and walking. Yoga has moved from 19th
position in 2001 to 10th position in 2005. This is consistent with the
findings that 22% - a sharp increase of 17% from 2001 of the respondents
participated in Sports as part of their lifestyle. |
The NSPS is a nation-wide research
conducted by the SSC once every five years. Its primary objective is
to gauge the level of sports participation and recreational physical
activity in Singapore. |
More details of the survey findings can
be found in the NSPS report at
www.ssc.gov.sg. |
Source:
www.ssc.gov.sg Media Release 22
Mar 2006 |
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