According to a research of the Dutch Olympic Committee, people who often exercise are happier than people who exercise occasionally.
Survey about sports and happiness
Market researcher Ipsos conducted a survey among 3,000 Dutch persons on behalf of the Dutch Olympic Committee and athletes who exercise more than ten times a month gave the highest score for happiness, 76% out of 100%. People who exercise between one and three times per month had the lowest happiness score, with 70% out of 100.
The survey also asked the Dutch people why they were working out and almost 50% indicated that the most important reason to exercise was being fit, 35% says it makes them feel happier. Almost a third of the surveyed men and women said that working out gives them self-confidence.
Sports and emotion
While sporting, people feel emotions and Ipsos also asked what kind of emotions people feel when they work out and pleasure was the topscorer with 48%. Other emotions that were frequently mentioned were pride with 38% and joy with 37%. Negative emotions were hardly mentioned, although fear was still mentioned by 3% of the persons.
The researchers also wanted to know if people every cried for sports. Twenty percent of the athletes indicated to cry at least once per year, whether because of their own performances or because of the performance of top athletes, for instance during world championships or Olympic Games.
Most popular sports in The Netherlands
Organization of sports in the country started at the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century when various federations for sports were founded and rules were unified. Because of this development, sports clubs came into existence.
Around 4.5 million people out of the 17 million persons living in The Netherlands are member to one of the 35,000 sports clubs in this European country. It is estimated that approximately 65% of the Dutch population older than 15 years old participates in sports on a weekly basis.
Soccer is the most popular sport in The Netherlands. Field hockey and volleyball complete the top 3 of most popular team sports. The most popular individual sports in Holland are ice-skating, tennis, gynmastics and golf.
