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Participating in 
school sports
17% decline
28% decline
11% increase
Tomkinson 
and Olds 
(2007)
27 countries 
(varying time 
periods and age 
ranges)
1958-
2003
6-19 
years
Various
0.36% 
decline per 
year
Finally, several studies provide empirical evidence for a gradual decline 
in physical activity among adults in occupational, transportation, and 
household tasks (Lanningham-Foster et al., 2003; Brownson et al., 2005; 
Church et al., 2011; Archer et al., 2013). Of interest, there is little evidence 
to suggest either a decrease or an increase in adult leisure-time physical activ-
ity. Although the evidence in these reports pertains to adult behavior, there 
can be little doubt that the declines in physical activity due to mechanization, 
technology, and social norms apply to children and adolescents as well.