october 2013 the trickle down effect revisited · participate in sports interested in elite sports...

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

The trickle down effect revisitedOctober 2013

Who find elite sports inspirational?

Elite event effects on mass participation?

Mass event effects on participation?

Trygve Buch Laub, AnalystDanish Institute for Sports Studiestrygve.laub@idan.dk

Storm, Thomsen, Laub(work in progress)

Sports participation in Denmark

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Sports participation in Denmark

• Data on participation and choice of sport dating back to 1964

• Latest survey: Fall of 2011

• Almost 6,000 respondents: 2035 children (aged 7-15) and 3957 adults (16+)

• Comprehensive questionnaires touching a wide range of fields

• Carried out with financial aid from all major Danish sports organizations

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

General participation: ‘Normally do sport/exercise’

2007 2011 1964 1975 1987 1993 1998 2007 20110 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

84 % 86 % 15 % 29 % 42 % 47 % 50 % 56 % 64 %

Sh

ares

act

ive

Children

Adults

General rise in participation over the last 50 years

Sports participation in Denmark

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Specific sport/organisation of sport: ‘Regularly last 12 months’

Change with life phases

Sports participation in Denmark

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Active in club Active on their own Active in commercial centre

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Participation in all ages

Because of elite events or international success?

Sports participation in Denmark

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports Interested in elite sports

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Mainly adults interested in elite sports

Sports participation in Denmark

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports Interested in elite sports Inspired by elite sports

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Mainly children/young people inspired by elite sports

‘Inspiration from sports stars in the media has contributed to me being active within a specific sport’

Sports participation in Denmark

Any activity

Handball

Golf

Table tennis

Football

Basketball

Tennis

0 % 20 % 40 % 60 %

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Who find elite sports inspirational?

Teenage girls and boys/men aged 7 to 29

Which sports?Girls (13-19) Boys/men (7-29)Proportion elite inspired athletes among:

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Preliminary conclusions

• It seems elite sports does to some extent inspire certain groups

• Particularly within the most popular and best media covered sports

• New sports participants or activating the already active in new sports?

Elite event effects on mass participation?HOWEVER

• Effects are dubious, short term and seemingly based solely on media coverage

• A better explanation/more relevant focus?

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Inspiration and motivation from mass events

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports [2011]

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Inspiration and motivation from mass events

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports [2011] Participate in sports [2007]

Major increase in 30-60 demographic

Predominantly runners – particular rise in run event participation

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

0100200300400500600700800900

Participants Events

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Source: Danish Athletics Federation’s ‘Motionstæller’

Inspiration and motivation from mass events

Running in Denmark inspires mass participation

Danish Institute for Sports Studies   l   Kanonbådsvej 4A   l   1437 København K   l   (+45) 3266 1036   l   www.idan.dk

Inspiration and motivation from mass events

…rather than elite events?Running in Denmark inspires mass participation

Thank you for your attention!