RETAILER OF FITNESS AND SPORTS GOODS

Retailer of Fitness and Sports Goods for Retired People

Retailer of Fitness and Sports Goods for Retired People

Introduction

Sporting goods stores vary according to format and merchandise. Most chains operate stores of a single type. Large-format stores are from 20,000 to 100,000 square feet, stock a large number of items, and are typically found as anchor stores in strip malls or in stand-alone locations. Traditional sporting goods retail stores vary in size from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet, carry a more limited number of items, and are typically found in strip or enclosed malls. Specialty stores have a wide selection of items for just one or two sports, such as golf, tennis, skiing, camping, etc.; are typically 1,000 to 10,000 square feet; and located in enclosed and strip malls. Large-format stores typically have more than $5 million in annual revenue and more than 50 employees.

This briefing explains why physical activity is so important for older people and describes the role Help the Aged is playing in promoting physical activity as a way to maintain good health and independence in later life. Physical activity can help prevent the onset of certain medical conditions and improve emotional well-being. Increasing and improving opportunities for participation in physical activity programmes will enable older people to look forward to a healthy later life.

Discussion

The survey suggests that activity levels overall are not what they should be. Fully 43% of all adults qualify as "Less Actives," which means that they fail to engage in vigorous exercise even two times a week. Certain subgroups, such as women and lower-income Americans, are represented disproportionately in the Less Active group. More striking, however, is the extent to which low levels of activity can be found in all groups: young Americans as well as old, the better educated as well as the less educated. A majority of the Less Actives are under age 45, and 46% have attended college. Insufficient physical activity is not confined to pockets of our society - it is a nationwide problem.

Fact Sheet 1: Levels of Activity

American Attitudes toward Physical Activity & Fitness President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports/Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association

The survey reconfirms the tremendous value of regular vigorous exercise. While only 21% of Less Active Americans report that they are in excellent or above-average physical shape, a 51% majority of More Active adults (those who exercise vigorously twice a week or more) rate their fitness at this level. Similarly, 59% of More Actives say they are in excellent or above-average health, which is well above Less Actives' 41% figure. One more encouraging finding: most Less Actives are at least somewhat physically active. In a typical week, about four in ten Less Actives report that they spend three hours or more doing some kind of exercise, and a large majority say they engage in 30 minutes of light physical activity at least once a week. Of the 11% of Less Actives who described themselves as "not at all active," the large ...