Friluftsliv, idrett og mosjon - SSB

98
The spread of swimming skills is exemplified by figures from 1951 and
1970. In 1951 65 per cent of the population (15-74 years of age) could
swim. The corresponding figure for 1970 was 75 per cent. The incidence
of these skills will of course increase for the population at large as
the young people in time will replace the older generation. Access to
equipment, holiday houses, and motor cars was less important than health
and prerequisite skill factors in determining participation. Access to
recreational equipment has, however, risen sharply in the 1960's particularly
with respect to cars and camping equipment such as sleeping bags
and tents. The younger(15-24 years) generation's access to cars has
increased fivefold from 1962 to 1970, access to tents has tripled and
to sleeping bags access has doubled. Compared to 1962, 50 per cent
more of the young people had cross-country skis in 1970.
The amount of leisure time, i.e. time free of work and school
obligations has been rising, giving the population as a whole about 100
full days without such obligations in 1970. The relationship between
available leisure time and participation has, however, not been measured
because of inadequate data. The data on access to outdoor recreation
areas and sport and exercise facilities were also insufficient in several
ways, but apparently the access to such areas and facilities was less
important for the participation than physical health and learning of
prerequisite skills and predisposing values.