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Sports Trends

By Tara Rosenzweig

Despite the economic downturn, participation and spending in some sports are on the rise. Here are some current sports trends in the U.S., according to the National Sporting Goods Association.

HIGH SPORTS SPENDING IN WEST NORTH CENTRAL U.S.

Americans in the West North Central region (including Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) spent the most per person on sports equipment in 2007. With an index of 143, this region beat the Pacific region (which includes California) and Mountain region (which includes Arizona and Colorado), which tied for second place at 113. The East North Central and Mid-Atlantic had the lowest indices (89 and 90, respectively).

GROWING NUMBER OF FEMALE ATHLETES

Women make up more than half of participants in nine activities, including yoga (85 percent), aerobic exercising (71 percent), exercise walking (63 percent), volleyball (58 percent), working out at a club (55 percent), swimming and inline skating (both 54 percent), lacrosse (53 percent), and exercising with equipment (51 percent).

UPSWING IN CYCLISTS AND RUNNERS

From 2006 to 2007 (the most recent data available), participation in bicycling rose five percent, with 37.4 million Americans going for a spin. During the same period, the rate of Americans running or jogging rose 5.5 percent to 29.2 million. On the fall are swimming and aerobic exercising, with declines of 7.3 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively.

SLOWDOWN ON THE GREEN

Rounds of golf played in the U.S. dropped 0.5 percent in October 2008 compared to October 2007. That followed a 7.5 percent drop in rounds played in September 2008 vs. September 2007. In addition, the rate of golf course openings continued to decline, with 2008 having the lowest number of openings in 20 years.

Top sports Activities
According to a survey by the National Sporting Goods Association, these are the most popular sports activities among Americans.

CONTINUED GROWTH IN OUTDOOR SPORTS

The Outdoor Foundation announced in its 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report that more than 50 percent—or 138.4 million—of Americans indulged in outdoor recreation in 2007. That's up from 134.4 million in 2006. Accordingly, the Outdoor Industry Association reports that year-to-date sales figures for all outdoor stores were up six percent, and equipment accessories sales were up 10 percent. EB