Physical activity is important for the health and wellbeing of women.
Download this document
566 kB
Physical activity provides a range of physical health, mental health and social benefits. Conversely, physical inactivity is the leading contributor to disease in women.
It is important to understand women’s involvement in physical activity to identify ways to encourage women to become more active.
Note that the data sources in this fact sheet define physical activity participation differently. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Exercise Recreation and Sport Survey defi ne participants as people aged 15 years and over who participated at least once in the 12 months prior to survey. In comparison, the Western Australian Adult Physical Activity Survey of people aged 18 years and over focuses on sufficient levels of physical activity. This is defined as at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week, which is frequently interpreted as 150 minutes of moderate activity over at least five sessions.
Where would you like to go next?
Physical or “active” recreation is a physical activity that a person voluntarily undertakes in their leisure time for the
purpose of mental and/or physical satisfaction.
Being physically active is important for the health and wellbeing of Australians.
Coaches are an integral part of sport. They are motivators, skill developers, guides, mentors and community role
models.
Physical inactivity is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of Australians.
Cycling is a popular physical activity which is suitable for people of all ages. It can be undertaken as a form of exercise or for transport.
Western Australia has a proud sporting tradition with an outstanding array of high performance achievements.
Western Australians are encouraged to incorporate physical activity into their daily activities or chores as all activity
is beneficial to health.
Understanding Indigenous participation in sport and physical activity may help to identify ways to encourage Indigenous Australians to become more active.
Participation in sport and physical activity is fundamental to the health and development of our children and youth.
Participation in physical activity is important for the health and wellbeing of all Australians. It also provides a range
of social, environmental and economic benefits for individuals and communities.
It is important to understand why some people choose to be physically active and why others do not.
Sport and physical activities that are not conducted by a club, community club, recreation or fitness centre are known
as non-organised.
Organised sport and physical activity refers to sport and physical activities that are conducted in full or part by a club, community group, recreation or fitness centre.
Information on the exercise, recreation and sporting activities of Australians.
Participation in sport and physical activity is important for the health and wellbeing of seniors. Benefits for seniors include improved physical and mental health, reduced risk of disease, social interaction, increased self-esteem, lifelong independence and overall wellbeing.
Social trends in Australia and their impact on sport and recreation.
Social trends in Australia and their impact on sport and recreation.
Swimming is one of Western Australia’s most popular activities. It is suitable for most people and provides a range
of health benefits.
Community sport and recreation relies on volunteers who give their time to community groups.
Walking is the most popular physical activity and is open to nearly everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or
socio-economic status.
