Background/Purpose Previous studies have shown that participation in physical activity and sport is lower in girls than in boys (Kimm et al, 2002; Sabo & Veliz, 2008), decreases as students matriculate through high school (Pate et al, 2007; Sabo & Veliz, 2008) and is lower in Black and Hispanic girls (Kimm, et al, 2002; Harris, et al, 2006). The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in self reported sports participation between genders, between girls in different ethnic groups and between girls grades 8 -11 in an urban community in the Southwest.
Method Data collected for a 2009 Title IX interest survey was analyzed. Girls (N = 25,339) and boys (N= 24,493) completed the survey. Odds ratios, chi square and p values with an alpha of 0.05 were calculated.
Analysis/Results Girls were 18% (p < 0.001) less like to participate in at least one sport compared to boys. Eighth grade girls were two times (p < 0.001) more likely to participate in at least one sport than eleventh grade girls. Black girls were 44% (p <0.001) and Hispanic girls were 8% (p = 0.005) more likely to participate in at least on sport while White girls were 16% (p < 0.001) less likely. Participation in specific sports varied significantly between ethnic groups.
Conclusions Although the results of gender and grade sports participation support previous studies, ethnic group participation differences do not. This study highlights the importance of sport as a source of physical activity in underserved groups.