A Study of the Determinants of Sports Participation by Maltese Nationals

Abstract

Currently, there have been various concerns relating to the amount of sports and physical exercise practiced by people in the European Union. Evidence collected by WHO and Eurostate show Malta as having the highest rates of obesity in the European Union. These results are worrying when one considers the consequences of such a condition, ranging from cardiovascular diseases such as angina, stroke and heart attacks to cancer. In this study, we use the economic, neo-classical and heterodox theories to explore sports participation, specifically of Maltese people in handball, badminton and wrestling. We targeted the whole population (n = 565) of registered and active sports participants within the three sport activities during the competitive season 2015-2016. We considered demographic characteristics, economic factors including education, employment and recreational activities, lifestyle factors as well as psychological and sociological factors. Our findings show dependency between gender and sports, the ratio of male to female participating in wrestling is significantly different from that of handball and badminton, dependency between age and sports and wrestling attracts a more mature participant. Given that income is not an issue effecting sports participation, there is a need to be more targeted public policies aimed at encouraging the uptake of sports within Malta as well as an investment by Government to promote sports participation.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity Participation Trends 2014–2018: A Cross-Sectional Study in Poland

“…Regardless the year of study (2014-2018), men significantly more often declared intensive and moderate activities, while women declared walking. The last fact is noted also by Downward and Rasciute [39] and Grima et al [2] who also add that this has not relation with the leisure time women have at their disposal. However, with no doubt, women (also Polish women [40] due to numerous obligations, taking care of children and beloved ones have, in general, a larger problem of engagement in LTPA [2,41].…”

“…In the modern world, physical activity (PA) ceases to be an individual and personal matter and is becoming both an essential social issue and an element of policy. Its unique importance is perceived by public health institutions [1,2] and governments all over the world, and has established the increase of PA as a priority activity [3,4] (especially due to increasing concerns over the negative health effects of a deficit of activity) [2,5]. In the second half of last year in Europe, as a result of these activities (undertaken at regional, national, and individual levels [1]), changes in the consciousness and lifestyle of people, including a significant growth in the number of people participating in sport, recreation and tourism, were noted [6].…”

“…However, during the last three decades, significant growth in participation in sport by older people has been noticed [9,16,17]. Lera-López and Rapún-Gárate [14] claim that this is a result of (1) the greater resources of this age group, (2) an increase of educational status (along with knowledge and awareness of the need of undertaking PA [18]. Scheerder and Vos [11] state that the increase in the level of education in modern societies has resulted in the growth of participation in sport for all educational groups.…”

Impact of sports activity on Polish adults: Self-reported health, social capital & attitudes

“…Perhaps this is the reason why some of our male respondents participate in organized sport. Women are more interested in unorganized sport, which is related to a new lifestyle and new social trends [76].…”

Socioecological Profile of Active Adults. Sport as a Whole-life Choice

“…World Health Organization (WHO) in health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) guidelines, recommends increasing participation in sport -as one of the main goals of achieving the desired change in behaviour (World Health Organization, 2018). Its significance is noticed by governments around the world by setting as a priority objective of their actions to increase the level of sport activity (SA), physical activity (PA) (Resolution of the Council), and concerns about health (Grima et al, 2018). Because of these activities, and as a result of changes in people's consciousness and lifestyle during the second half of XX century in Europe, the significant increase in the number of people declaring SA and increasing its frequency was noticed (Scheerder & Vos, 2011).…”