SILVER SPRING, MD (Feb. 18, 2019) – Sports and fitness participation grew across the United States last year, though levels of intensity varied across the wide variety of physical activities Americans chose to pursue. The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report, the largest sports and fitness participation survey in the U.S., tracking 120 activities at both core and casual levels, reveals all seven major categories (Fitness Sports, Individual Sports, Outdoor Sports, Racquet Sports, Team Sports, Water Sports and Winter Sports) experienced slight growth over the last five years. Youth inactivity rates (ages 6-12 and 13-17) continue to decline moderately for the fourth consecutive year. However, overall inactivity rates were unchanged, at a stagnant 27.3 percent, and lower household incomes continue to be associated with lower physical activity rates. Nearly half of American households making under $25,000 per year reported being totally inactive last year.
“We remain very concerned with the strong link between income disparity and physical activity rates,” said Tom Cove, President & CEO of SFIA. “Our society cannot allow sports and physical activity to be available only to those with the most means to pay for it.”
In the team sports category, basketball and baseball, the two sports with the largest total participation base, are showing the strongest gains. Also, niche sports, such as lacrosse, ice hockey, beach volleyball and gymnastics, experienced increases at the core level (which is the best reflection of athletes committed to the sport), but decreases in casual/overall participation.
As for fitness, the largest segment of the seven categories covered, nearly every equipment-based category experienced growth, including treadmill, elliptical, stationary cycling, rowing machine, kettlebells and many others.
“We are encouraged to see most activity categories showing overall increases in participation; but long-term, we need to see these numbers transition from casual to core participants, in order for sustained industry growth to take hold,” added Cove.
Outdoor participation also remained strong, reflecting America’s interest in an “active lifestyle” and sharing time with family. Activities such as biking, camping and hiking reported strong gains.
The 2019 Topline Participation Report is free to SFIA members and available to the public for purchase here.
ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation, as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs and member services. For more information, please visit www.sfia.org.
Chris Clawson Re-Elected SFIA Chairman; Dan Arment (Riddell & BRG Sports) Elected Vice-Chairman; Davis (NHL), O’Toole (Walmart.com/Jet.com), Schroeder (Gildan), Sheridan (Brooks) Elected to Board of Directors
SILVER SPRING, MD (Jan. 2, 2019) – Chris Clawson, former President; Life Fitness, has been re-elected as the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Chairman of the Board for a fourth one-year term. Dan Arment, President & CEO; Riddell & BRG Sports, has been elected to serve as the Vice-Chairman for a one-year term. In addition, four new directors were elected, and two members were re-elected, to the SFIA Board of Directors for three-year terms. This announcement was made at the end of the SFIA’s Annual Meeting, which took place on Dec. 20, 2018.
New additions to the Board include: Kim Davis (Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs; National Hockey League), Eric O’Toole (General Manager for Sports & Fitness, Walmart.com/Jet.com), Michael Schroeder (Vice President, Global Lifestyle Brands; Gildan) and Dan Sheridan (Executive Vice President, General Manager Global Sales; Brooks Running).
“Chris Clawson is a very well-respected industry leader with an uncanny understanding of this business, and it’s a huge benefit to have him serve as Chairman,” said Tom Cove, SFIA President & CEO. “Having Dan Arment step up as Vice-Chairman, along with a stellar, diverse group of executives joining the board, puts SFIA in an ideal position to lead the industry in 2019. We could not be happier with the wisdom, experience and enthusiasm of the new SFIA Board of Directors.”
In addition, the following board members were re-elected to three-year terms: Jennifer Bendall (Vice President, Government and Public Affairs; Nike, Inc.) and Jonathan Ram (Group President, Global Activewear; Hanesbrands Inc.).
Newly elected and re-elected directors will join existing SFIA board members: Melissa Dawson (President; Molten USA, Inc.), Mike Dowse (President; Wilson Sporting Goods), Jared Drinkwater (Chief Marketing Officer; BSN Sports), John Graham (President; SPEEDO USA), Rawleigh Grove (Vice President & General Counsel; PING Golf), Fouzan Mansuri (Director & General Manager, Sports & Fitness; Amazon.com), Gene McCarthy (President & CEO; ASICS America Corporation), Scott McDonald (CEO; Body-Solid Inc.), Neil Morton (CEO; ATA International), Michael Savage (CEO; Empower Fitness), Matt Stanton (Vice President, Global Public Policy; Under Armour), Kurt Tandan (Associate General Counsel & Senior Director of Corporate Affairs; adidas America, Inc.), Marco Zambianchi (President; Technogym USA) and Mike Zlaket (President & CEO; Rawlings Sporting Goods).