Why is it that men play sports? what do they have to prove? I'm not anti sports, I was just wondering why they feel the need to be so competitive.

-- Katya Kalisi (LiveWire008@Hotmail.com), February 23, 2000

Answers

The data suggest that men and women participate in sports for a variety of reasons and to identify a single motive for participation in sport would be inaccurate. In general, men and women will participate for similar reasons (e.g., health and wellness, fun/socialization, and to learn new skills/competition). Interestingly, research findings suggest that adults who have been physically active throughout their lives increasingly report mental health benefits of exercise as reasons for continued participation as opposed to physical health/weight reduction motives.

-- Stacie M. Spencer, Ph.D. (spencer@merlin.psych.pitt.edu), February 28, 2000.

Men have been said to participate for ego orientated reasons, while females will participate for enjoyment.

-- David Anderson (crazy.dave@start.com.au), March 02, 2000.