PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG RUSSIAN YOUTH ACROSS GENDER LINES: EVIDENCE FROM 25 YEARS OF NATIONAL DATA

Significance. Monitoring physical activity (PA) among youths by gender and other characteristics at the national level is crucial for developing measures to enhance it. Purpose. To analyze trends in physical activity of the Russian youth with a focus on gender differences. Material and Methods. Data from 25 waves (1996–2021) of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – Higher School of Economics were analyzed. The study sample comprised youths aged 18–35. Using a regression analysis, the authors estimated the probabilities of engagement in various types of physical activity and sports for men and women, controlling for key socio-demographic characteristics (higher education attainment, rural residence, employment status, marital status) and self-rated health. Results. The overall sample engagement in various types of physical activity increased by 13% during the study period; most respondents preferred low-intensity activities. Male engagement in PA and sports declined across all analyzed activities except for jogging, basketball, volleyball, and football, which saw minor increases. Among women, significant increases in PA engagement were observed for dancing, aerobics, shaping, and yoga. Conclusion. Statistically significant gender differences in the probability of engagement in PA and sports were identified for individual types of physical activity. Throughout the period under study, these differences persisted for basketball, volleyball, football, and hockey (higher probability for men) and for dancing, aerobics, shaping, and yoga (higher probability for women). Gender gaps in other types of physical activity diminished over time against the background of the overall decrease in PA and sports engagement. Practical recommendations include promoting physical activity among the youth by aligning with existing preferences, fostering new interests through increased awareness, and advocacy for healthy lifestyle values. Scope of application. The study results can inform PA initiatives targeted at youths, such as developing specialized guidelines. Evolving youth practices and preferences should be incorporated into national and local recommendations. Keywords: Russian youth; physical activity and sports; gender differences; regression analysis