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 [email protected]

Storm, Thomsen, Laub(work in progress)

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


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



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

Change with life phases


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


Participation in all ages

Because of elite events or international success?


0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports Interested in elite sports


Mainly adults interested in elite sports


0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports Interested in elite sports Inspired by elite sports


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’


Any activity

Handball

Golf

Table tennis

Football

Basketball

Tennis

0 % 20 % 40 % 60 %


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:


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?


Inspiration and motivation from mass events

0 %

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Participate in sports [2011]



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


Source: Danish Athletics Federation’s ‘Motionstæller’


Running in Denmark inspires mass participation



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

Thank you for your attention!

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

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