The relationship between sport-related government spending and sport and exercise participation: the role of funding size, period, and consistency

Abstract

Previous research investigated how government spending helps to promote sport participation in the population while relying on average funding figures. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between sport-related government spending and sport and exercise participation in more detail by specifically looking at the role of funding size, period, and consistency. Individual-level data from the 2011 German Socio-Economic Panel (n = 17,319) are combined with state-level data including government spending on sport facilities, swimming pools, and general sport promotion for all 16 states. Multi-level models were estimated to examine how government spending and individual factors are related to regular sport and exercise participation (i.e. at least once per week). The results show that average funding is not significantly related to sport participation except for swimming pool spending over a 10- and 15-year period. Consistent spending on sport facilities is positively associated with participation in sport and exercise, while inconsistent spending on pools has a positive effect. The findings suggest that the role of funding size and consistency differs among the three types of sport-related spending. If state governments want to promote public health through participation in sport and exercise, spending on facilities should be consistent, while spending on swimming pools should occur large in size and allowing for some inconsistencies.

Keywords:

• Public funding
• sport participation
• health promotion
• multi-level modeling