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The Australian Sports Commission (ASC)’s landmark AusPlay survey not only surveyed participation, but also looked at what motivates people to play sport and be active.

Released before Christmas, the study found noticeable differences in why men and women participate in activity and sport.

Explaining these differences, Australian Sports Commission Deputy General Manager of Research & Information Paul Fairweather told the ABC “women are more likely to be focused on the physical, mental health benefits and maybe to lose weight, maintain their weight, and men, it is more about ... fun and enjoyment and the social reasons.

"These are different things and sports need to think about that when they are marketing their product or developing or evolving their products."

Among the other key findings of the report was that people were focused on the health benefits of sport and physical activity, and were not only on the social aspects.

About 80% of survey respondents said they were motivated by the physical benefits of activities, compared to about 45% who also cited fun or enjoyment.

Fairweather added "if you go back in the old days, competition was probably the key driver of the sports.

"Now it is all about health and fitness, whether you are playing sport or physical activity."

In exploring the decline in sport participation among teenagers and your adults, the report did not address the rise of Esports (electronic sports), the fast growing sector of competitive video-gaming that generated global revenues of close to US$500 million with a global audience of more than 250 million participants.

Esports, with its tournaments and growing fan base, is expected to have a major impact in the sport industry in the coming years. 

Images: Men and women have different motivations for participating in activity and sport (top) and a League of Legends Esport event (below).

8th December 2016 - LANDMARK STUDY FINDS SPORT STRUGGLING TO KEEP YOUTH ENGAGED 

5th December 2016 - NRL CONCERN OVER DECLINING RUGBY LEAGUE PARTICIPANT NUMBERS

11th November 2016 - AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION SAYS SPORT AND EDUCATION KEY TO TACKLING OBESITY

7th August 2016 - LES MILLS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EXTERNAL MOTIVATION IN ACHIEVING FITNESS GOALS

25th September 2016 - 1.2 MILLION PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SPORTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM

3rd May 2016 - SPORTS COMMISSION URGES TEENAGERS TO ‘STICK WITH’ SPORT

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