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We investigate the relationship between participation in physical activity and self reported happiness in the United States. IV estimates based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and County Business Patterns indicate that individuals living in a county with greater access to sports facilities are more likely to participate in physical activity and also report higher life satisfaction. The contribution of participation in physical activity to increased happiness is three times the size of the loss in happiness associated with being unemployed. Both men and women gain happiness from participation, and men appear to benefit more.
Source: “Sports Participation and Happiness: Evidence from U.S. Micro Data” from University of Alberta, Department of Economics, Working Papers #2010-9.
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