Canadian adult sports participation drops

OTTAWA, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A survey showed the number of Canadians aged 15 or older who regularly participate in sports has significantly declined since the 1990s.

Information from the General Social Survey showed that approximately 28 percent of adults participated in sports in 2005, a significant drop from the 34 percent in 1998 or 45 percent in 1992, Statistics Canada reported.

Teenagers aging from 15 to 18 showed the most participation with 59 percent in 2005, which is a drop from 77 percent in 1992.

The number of adults who were spectators of amateur sports in 2005 showed an increase of 20.3 percent from 1998.

The report warned that the overall decrease in adult participation in sports doesn't signify that they don't exercise. Reportedly, many get regular exercise through activities such as workout classes, jogging or gardening.

The aging Canadian population is one of the contributing factors to the country's declining number of adult sport participants, the report found.