Survey to look at physical activities of Hong Kong people (with photo)
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    A questionnaire survey to be conducted by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will look closely at the participation patterns of Hong Kong people in physical activities.

    The LCSD will start conducting the questionnaire survey this month and collect data to assess the effectiveness of the Sport for All policy and to facilitate the formulation of long-term strategies to encourage more people to take part in physical activities.

    The survey will be conducted in two phases in May and September in the form of face-to-face household interviews.

    The LCSD and sports sector, local organisations and schools have been committed to providing diversified community sports services for the public to promote the culture of Sport for All since the establishment of the department in 2000.

    To gauge the level of public participation in sports and the effectiveness of the relevant work so as to set future objectives and strategies in promoting Sport for All, the LCSD has commissioned the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct a consultancy study and the Consumer Search Hong Kong Ltd. to conduct the first phase of the "Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities (2008)" questionnaire survey.

    The consultancy study was completed in January.

    The main objectives of the survey are to find out the patterns, reasons and obstacles for the public to take part in physical activities and sports, to explore the influence of living habits on participation in physical activities and sports and to review the popularity of the LCSD's sports programmes and facilities in the community.

    In the survey, "physical activities" include daily physical tasks such as walking, housework and gardening, job-related physical tasks, as well as exercise and sports that require physical exertion and skills, to improve health, fitness, and/or physical performance. "Sports" are defined as highly organised, competitive physical activities governed by rules, such as basketball, volleyball, swimming and dance.

    The sample size for the survey is 4,000 households by random sampling. A field interviewer wearing a work permit on which are the LCSD stamp chop and the research company's name will visit selected households and conduct an interview which will last for about 20 minutes with a member aged 7 or above at each household.

    To collect data on the participation patterns in physical activities of different age groups in Hong Kong, the targets for the survey will be divided into three age groups including children (aged 7 to 12), adolescents (aged 13 to 19) and adults (aged 20 or above). Three sets of questions will be designed for respondents in different age groups.

    For enquiries, please call the Government hotline 1823.

    The success of the survey depends on public support.

Ends/Thursday, May 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:00

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