Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40847293›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Gender gap in physical activity and sport participation across the lifespan in Australia between 2016 and 2023.

Katherine B Owen, Philip J Clare, Rochelle Eime, Ding Ding, Binh Nguyen, Mengyun Luo, Tracy Nau, Lindsey J Reece, Adrian Bauman

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Katherine B OwenSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. Katherine.owen@sydney.edu.au.
Philip J ClareSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Rochelle EimeInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia.
Ding DingSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Binh NguyenSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Mengyun LuoSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Tracy NauSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Lindsey J ReeceAustralian Capital Territory, Australian Sports Commission, Belconnen, Australia.
Adrian BaumanSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Level 6, the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe primary aim of this study was to examine the gender gap in specific types of leisure-time physical activity (including sport and active recreation) in Australians across the lifespan from 2016 to 2023. The secondary aim of this study was to examine trends in participation in specific types of leisure-time physical activity from 2016 to 2023.

methodsThis repeated cross-sectional study included sport and active recreation data from Ausplay (2016–2023) from a representative sample of participants aged five years and above in Australia. Gender inequalities in all leisure-time physical activity, active recreation, sport (team and individual), and walking were examined using prevalence ratios (relative inequalities) and mean differences (absolute differences).

resultsAmong the 168,678 participants, the prevalence of all leisure-time physical activity, team sport, and walking remained consistent, while active recreation and individual sport participation increased between 2016 and 2023. The gender gap in each activity remained consistent across the eight years, with boys and men participating in higher levels of sport, especially team sport, while girls and women participating in higher levels of active recreation and walking.

conclusionsWomen and girls participate in lower levels of sport than men and boys across the eight years, possibly contributing to the gender gap in overall leisure-time physical activity levels. To address these disparities, there needs to be a comprehensive approach that creates inclusive, flexible, and enjoyable sporting environments, while also further promoting active recreation to cater to diverse needs encouraging long-term participation.

Indexed as

ExerciseLeisure ActivitiesSportsAdolescentAdultAgedAustraliaChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSex FactorsYoung AdultActive recreationGenderInequalityLeisure-time physical activityPhysical activitySport

Identifiers

PMID40847293
PMCPMC12372331

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.