ABSTRACT
This chapter uses data from Sport England's Active People Survey (APS) to explore trends and demographic influences on participation in sporting and physical activities. It considers the extent to which the APS data can be useful both to scholars of sport studies and to inform sport policymakers. The empirical analysis uses multivariate regression techniques and is conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the chapter estimates participation equations for sport and exercise in general and participation in competition. In the second stage, it estimates participation equations for four specific activities; walking, cycling, athletics and swimming. Club membership and competition are positively related to each other as well as those receiving coaching and participation in sports volunteering. The chapter argues that analysis of the APS data can shed light on interesting trends and relationships that could assist an understanding of sport participation and inform policymakers.
