Non-Linear relationship between number of clubs and participants in sport

Using panel data, this study shows that there is a non-linear relationship between clubs and participation in sport in Portugal. More specifically, a relationship in the form of an inverted U is found between clubs and participants. The empirical evidence obtained is particularly relevant because it shows that a greater number of clubs only produces an increased number of participants up to a certain threshold of clubs, with a negative relationship between clubs and sports participants beyond that critical level. It also shows that current expenditure on sport contributes to an increased number of sports participants, capital expenditure on sporting activities being of negligible importance for this purpose, and gross national product (GNP) contributes to increasing sport participation in high GNP districts and to restricting sport participation at low GNP levels.