Men and women plump for different sports

In the 6-80 age category, 71 percent of men and 66 percent of women are active in sports. Running, billiards and football are popular among men; dancing, korfball and hockey are typically favoured by women. Women are often active in sports clubs, whereas men relatively often practise sports in an unorganised setting.

Individual sports most popular among both genders

Approximately 60 percent of men and women play individual sports. Fitness is most popular. Individual sports attracting many women are group workout sessions accompanied by music, dancing and walking. Popular individual sports among men are fitness, cycle racing and running.

Sports participation by branch of sports and gender, 2007

Share of men in one-to-one and team sports relatively large

Sports in which two people play against one another and team sports are mainly practised by men; 23 percent of men versus 14 percent of women practise sports involving two players. Men constitute an even larger majority in team sports. This is mainly due to the high male participation rate in team sports like indoor and outdoor football.

Tennis is the most popular sport played between two opponents. Nearly 10 percent of both men and women play tennis. Billiards, martial arts and squash are also popular.

Women more often active in team sports

More women than men are sports club members. This applies to individual as well as team sports. Proportionally, men are more often active in an unorganised setting.

Sports participation by type of sport and gender, 2007

Rianne Kloosterman