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U.S. Physical Activity Statistics
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1998 U.S. Physical Activity Statistics: Participation in Select Physical Activities

Adults Aged 18 and Over

Walking for exercise is the most common form of leisure-time physical activity among adults aged 18 and over, reported at 43.2% participation in 1998. Gardening or yard work was reported by 28.1%, and stretching exercises are reported by 27.2% of adults. Weightlifting or muscle strengthening was reported by 15.5% of adults. Bicycling or use of an exercise bicycle was reported by 12.3%, while jogging or running was reported by 10.6%, stair climbing for exercise was reported by 6.6% of adults, and aerobics or aerobic dancing were reported by 6.3%. Basketball had the highest prevalence of the team sports with 5.9% of adults reporting this activity. Swimming was reported by 5.6 percent, golf by 4.9%, bowling by 3.2%, and baseball or softball by 2.9% of adults. Tennis and volleyball were each reported by 1.7% of adults. Football was reported by 1.5% and soccer was reported by 1.4%. Racquet sports, including handball, racquetball, and squash, was reported by 0.8% of adults. One-half percent reported downhill skiing, 0.3% reported waterskiing, and cross-country skiing was reported by 0.2% of U.S. adults in 1998.

  1. Source: National Health Interview Survey 1998 (NHIS).
  2. Data are weighted to the 1998 U.S. population and age-adjusted to the year 2000 population standard.
  3. Participation = activity reported as being done at least once in the past two weeks.

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Page last reviewed: May 22, 2007
Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion