DP9851 Labor market effects of sports and exercise: Evidence from Canadian panel data

Author(s):	Michael Lechner, Nazmi Sari
Publication Date:	March 2014
Keyword(s):	Canadian National Population Health Survey, human capital, individual sports participa¬tion, labor market, matching estimation., Physical activity
JEL(s):	C21, I12, I18, J24, L83
Programme Areas:	Labour Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=9851

Based on the Canadian National Population Health Survey we estimate the effects of individual sports and exercise on individual labor market outcomes. The data covers the period from 1994 to 2008. It is longitudinal and rich in life-style, health, and physical activity in-formation. Exploiting these features of the data allows for a credible identification of the effects as well as for estimating dose-response relationships. Generally, we confirm previous findings of positive long-run income effects. However, an activity level above the current recommendation of the WHO for minimum physical activity is required to reap in the long-run benefits.