Sports and outdoor activities, survey on living conditions, 2007

A total of 73 per cent of Norwegians aged 16 years and above exercise at least once a week. Eleven per cent never exercise or do any kind of sport. This is shown in new data form the Survey of living conditions 2007. This activity is at the same level as in 2004.

Fast walking trips are most popular

The most popular exercise activity is fast walking trips. Seventy-seven per cent of the population have done this kind of activity during the last 12 months. Cross-country skiing is next with 45 per cent, cycling with 40 per cent, jogging with 38 per cent and weight-training with 30 per cent. The share of the population that is active in alpine sports is 20 per cent.

Fast walking trips and cross-country skiing are popular among all age groups

Fast walking trips is a typical “sports for everyone”. This kind of exercise has a high share in all age groups. Among those who are 67 years or older, more than 50 per cent have also practiced this kind of exercise during the last 12 months. Cross-country skiing, cycling and swimming are also sport disciplines where the activity is fairly evenly distributed between the different age groups. Jogging, weight-training, football and alpine sports are on the other hand disciplines in which young people are most active and where the activity declines with increasing age. All kinds of ball games are also dominated by young people.

Men play football, women do aerobics

Men and women differ slightly when choosing training activities. Men are most active in jogging and cycling, alpine sports, football, ice hockey, tennis and golf. Women are most active in organised dance, horse riding and fast walking trips. While 7 per cent of men exercise with aerobics, the share among women is 27 per cent.

Walking trips in the nature popular

The most typical outdoor activities are shorter walking trips and whole day walking trips in the forest and in the mountains. Approximately eight out of ten do such activities during a 12-month period. The vast majority have also been bathing in salt or fresh water. Slightly more than 40 per cent have been on skiing day trips in the forest or in the mountains, and just as many have had cycling day trips in the nature and fishing trips.

Men’s open air activities are more action-oriented than those of women

Men are more active than women in action-oriented outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and alpine sports, glacier hiking/climbing, snow scooter driving, daytrips with motor or sailing boats and cycling in the nature. They are also more active with regard to typical outdoor activities like fishing and hunting. Women on the other hand are more active than men in pursuits like shorter hiking trips, berry or mushroom-picking trips and sunbathing.