The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) reported participation in 33 of 54 sports and
activities it tracks grew in 2014.

Participation increases were seen among Open Water
activities (2.7 percent), Wheel Sports (2.5 percent), Shooting Sports (1.3
percent), Indoor Gaming (0.8 percent), Fitness Activities (0.5 percent), and
Outdoor Activities (0.4 percent). Overall declines occurred in Personal Contact
Sports (-0.4 percent), Snow Sports (-1.2 percent), Team Sports (-2.1 percent),
and Individual Sports (-2.6 percent).

The findings are based on research conducted by NSGA, which does not belong to the Physical Activity Council, a coalition of six sporting goods trade associations that released its annual participation data in mid-April. PAC participation data is based on a survey of more than 5,000 individuals and 5,000 households conducted in January and February and released throughout the year by its individual members, which include Sports Fitness Industry Association, National Golf Foundation, Outdoor Industry Association, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, Tennis Industry Association, United States Tennis Association and Snowsports Industries America.

“It is positive that
we saw participation growth in more than half of the sports and activities that
we track,” said NSGA’s Director of Research & Information Dustin Dobrin.
“There are clearly opportunities to reverse trends that we have been seeing
within certain segments of the industry such as team sports, which has been
experiencing declining participation for some time.”

In addition to the Sports Participation in the United States
report, NSGA’s participation research includes Cross Participation, Lifecycle
Demographics, and Single Sport reports. As part of NSGA’s research offerings,
an easy-to-understand quick view snapshot is provided for each sport and
activity. As an example, the Sports Participation report includes snapshots
that allow users to easily see a 10-year participation trend (when available)
in addition to key demographic and geographic drivers of participation.

The National Sporting Goods Association has served as the
leading voice for the sporting goods industry since 1929. NSGA’s mission is to
support its members’ efforts to grow their business and to advocate on their
behalf. The Association develops industry research and publications, while also
providing discounted services and hosting the annual NSGA Management Conference
& Team Dealer Summit.