MSAHPERD E-JOURNAL

MississippiMunicipalPark and Recreation Sport and Physical Activity Program Participation Rates for Females Aged 18 and Older

Abstract

Municipal park and recreation agencies, as organized governmental bodies in Mississippi, have the responsibility to provide recreational services to all segments of the community without discrimination based on sex, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.Services include recreation programs such as sports, games, fitness, hobbies, music, outdoor living, adventure/challenge pursuits, literary activities, aquatic activities, social events, and arts and crafts.

Bialeschki (1) noted that public park and recreation departments are in an extraordinary position to have facilities and programs to accommodate males and females in their leisure pursuits within virtually every community in the country.Adult women today, however, have fewer opportunities for physical activity because of society’s view that such activity is inappropriate (2).As a result women lack skills necessary for successful participation.Bialeschki (1) noted that women today need opportunities to acquire basic skills; and further noted that park and recreation departments can be beneficial and lend support to social changes needed to allow girls and women to receive the same access and approval for their participation as men. 

In the U. S. surgeon general’s report on Physical Activity and Health (4) key facts and benefits were related to women's participation in physical activity.The report noted that more than 60 % of adult women do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity - 30 minutes of moderate activity daily, and that more than 25 % of all American women are totally inactive.

Clearly there are more recreational opportunities available to women today than at the turn of the century, offering both physiological and psychological reward.Although girls and women have become more physically active, the park and recreation profession is only beginning to examine the role of women’s participation in sport/physical activity programs.Municipal agencies need to take a more direct approach to identify needs, interests, and motivations in order to reach women in the communities (3). The recreation experience should be based on quality and not quantity.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate recreational opportunities and participation rates in sport/physical activity programs for adult females aged 18 and older in municipal park and recreation settings in Mississippi.

Methodology

The population sample for this study consisted of 51 park and recreation

departments and commissions in Mississippi who are affiliated and identified with the Mississippi Recreation and Park Association (MRPA).The survey tool assessed opportunities and participation rates in a sport/physical activity for females aged 18 and older in municipal

park and recreation programs in Mississippi.Data collected was anonymous and descriptive statistics were used to analyze and place it in report form.This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board Human Subjects Committee.

Results

Five (5) questions addressed the current status of women’s participation in sport/physical activity programs in these four categories; team sports, individual sports, physical fitness, and outdoor activities.Cities in Mississippi were broken down into four population categories:under 10,000; 10,000 – 50,000; 50,001 – 150,000; and over 150,000.A total of 32 surveys (63%) were returned of which 13 were from a population size of under 10,000, 15 from a population size of 10,000 – 50,000, 3 from a population size of 50,001 – 150,000, and 1 from a population size of over 150,000.

Question 1:

Rank activity areas that received the most participation from females aged 18 and older within the department (See Table 1).

Table 1

Activity categories that are considered successful based on participation rates.	N
1.Team Sports	14 / 23	“highest participation”
2.Individual Sports	9 / 21	“lowest participation”
3.Physical Fitness Activities	5 / 19 5 / 19 5 / 19	“lowest participation” “somewhat low” “somewhat high”
4.Outdoor Activities	9 / 17	“lowest participation”

Question 2:

What activity in each category was the highest participation rate for females aged 18 and older

within the department (See Table 2).

Table 2

Age Group	Team Sport	N	Individual Sport	N	Physical Fitness	N	Outdoor	N
18-24	Softball	18 / 20	Tennis	8 / 12	Walking	3/7	NA	NA
25-34	Softball	15 / 18	Tennis	10 / 12	Aerobic Classes	6/11	NA	NA
35-44	Volleyball	7 / 9	Tennis	9 / 11	Walking	4/8	Landscaping	1/1
45-54	Softball	4 / 5	Tennis	4 / 7	Walking	4/7	Gardening	1/1
55+	Softball	2 / 2	Tennis	3 / 5	Walking	5/9	Landscaping	2/2

Question 3:

Categorize the age groups for females aged 18 and older in the order of appearance as the most active in a sport/physical activity within the department 

(See Table3).

Table 3

Age groups in order of participation in a sport/physical activity.	N
18 to 24	12	“most active”
25 to 34	9	“very active”
35 to 44	9	“active”
45 to 54	11	“not as active”
55 and older	15	“least active”

Question 4:

What time intervals have high participation rates in a sport/physical activity for females aged 18 and older in the department (See Table 4).

Table 4

Time intervals that contribute to successful programming.	N
7:00am to 11:00am	5 / 21 5 / 21	“lowest participation” “highest participation”
11:00am to 1:00pm	8 / 20	“somewhat low”
1:00pm to 5:00pm	6 / 24 6 / 24	“lowest participation “somewhat low”
5:00pm to 9:00pm	18 / 24	“highest participation”
9:00pm to 12:00am	11 / 21	“lowest participation”

Question 5:

What days of the week have the highest participation rates in a sport/physical activity for females aged 18 and older in the department (See Table 5).

Table 5

Days of the week that contribute to successful programming.	N
Monday	9 / 24	“somewhat high”
Tuesday	11 / 24	“highest participation”
Wednesday	7 / 22	“lowest participation”
Thursday	9 / 24	“high participation”
Friday	6 / 21 6 / 21	“lowest participation” “low participation”
Saturday	6 / 22	“low participation”
Sunday	15 / 23	“lowest participation”

Recommendations

A recommendation suggests municipal agencies become directly involved in identifying female sports activity by needs, interests and motivations through staff interaction with participants and potential participants, assessments and evaluations, informal interviews, surveys and special promotions.Mississippi municipal park and recreation departments need to address

gender conformity, lack of facilities, lack of research, male dominated sports, leisure constraints, and day-care facilities.Female participation in sport related activities should be a priority to promote healthier lifestyles.Also, to be fully knowledgeable of women’s interests, a network should be formed with other similar agencies to primarily focus on girls and women.

REFERENCES

1.Bialeschki, M. D. (1999).“Physical Activity for Women.What Park and Recreation

Departments Can Do.”Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 70 (3), 36-39. 

2.Freysinger, V. J. (1990).“A Lifespan Perspective on Women and Physical Recreation.”

Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 61, (1), 48-51.

3.Henderson, K. A. (1995).“Marketing Recreation and Physical Activity Programs for

Females.”Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 66 (6), 53-57.

4.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.“Physical Activity and Health: A Report of

the Surgeon General.”Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center 

for Disease Control and Prevention, NationalCenter for Chronic Disease Prevention and

Health Promotion, 1996.

MississippiMunicipalPark and Recreation Sport and Physical Activity Program Participation Rates for Females Aged 18 and Older

Natalie Ruffin, M.A.

Jim Gilbert, Ed.D.

Linda F. Chitwood, Ph.D.

Tammie Kaufman, Ph.D.

Natalie Ruffin holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leisure Management from the University of Mississippi.She is the Recreational Program/Facilities Director for the Oxford Park Commission.

Dr. Jim Gilbert isa Associate Professor of Park and Recreation Management and Interim Chair of the Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management at the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Linda Chitwood is a Professor of Exercise Science and Interim Dean of the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Tammie Kaufman is a Assistant Professor of Park and Recreation Management and Director of the Tourism Research Initiative at the University of Mississippi. 

Reprint Request: Natalie Ruffin

University of Mississippi

Turner Complex

University, Mississippi38677