Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP9851
Authors: Michael Lechner; Nazmi Sari
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Canadian National Population Health Survey; Human capital; Individual sports participation; Labor market matching estimation; Physical activity
JEL Codes: C21; I12; I18; J24; L83
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| increasing physical activity levels (I14) | positive long-run effects on individual income (H31) |
| activity levels above the World Health Organization's minimum recommendations (I15) | long-term benefits (J32) |
| increased physical activity (I12) | positive earnings effects (M52) |
| highest activity levels (I12) | most substantial benefits (J32) |
| increased physical activity levels (I14) | no systematic effects on other labor market outcomes (J79) |