Investigation of sports disparities by socio-economic status in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19579
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: Matsushita Munehiro 東海大学, 体育学部, 講師 (20758594)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: スポーツ格差 / 社会経済的地位 / スポーツライフ・データ / スポーツクラブ・運動部加入 / スポーツ実施率

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined the disparities in exercise and sport by socio-economic status (e.g. income, educational status, occupation) in Japan. The results showed that in all age groups of men, the proportion of sports engagement was lower among those whose last educational attainment was junior high school or high school, whereas in women, the association between socio-economic status and sports engagement differed across age groups. In children and adolescents, the association between equivalized household income and membership of sports clubs has been examined. The results showed that there was no significant association between equivalized household income and membership of sports clubs among junior and senior high school students. Conversely, the proportion of preschool children and primary school students joining sports clubs was lower in groups with lower equivalized household income.

Free Research Field

スポーツ疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本においても社会経済的地位による健康事象や生活習慣による格差（健康格差）が報告されてきた。本研究では、運動・スポーツ実施にも社会経済的地位による格差が生じている可能性を報告した。今後は、社会経済的地位により運動・スポーツ格差が生じるメカニズムの解明、日本における運動・スポーツ格差の拡大・縮小のモニタリング、運動・スポーツ格差を縮小するための施策の効果検証に関する研究が重要となると考えられる。本研究は、今後発展することが必要である運動・スポーツ格差研究の基礎的な研究に位置づけられる。