Abstract
Sport participation is not equally accessible and often reflects underlying social and economic stratification. This study examines whether types of sport in Abu Dhabi are segmented according to income-related participation patterns. Data were drawn from the fifth cycle of the Abu Dhabi Quality of Life Survey, covering 25 sport types evaluated across four income-related indicators: income satisfaction, perceived ability to make ends meet, subjective income class and income compared to others. A two-stage clustering procedure was applied, combining Ward’s hierarchical clustering with K-means refinement to enhance cluster stability. Cluster validity was assessed using the silhouette coefficient and between-cluster mean comparisons. A two-cluster structure was identified, distinguishing income-intensive sports from more economically accessible sports. Activities such as golf, tennis and gymnastics were associated with higher income profiles, whereas walking, football and athletics demonstrated broader socioeconomic accessibility. Additional analyses indicated gender disparities within several income-intensive sports, with male participants reporting higher perceived income positioning. The findings indicate that sport participation in Abu Dhabi is structured along both socioeconomic and gender dimensions. By clustering sports rather than individuals, a structural perspective on participation inequality is introduced. These results provide empirical evidence to inform equitable sport policy design, resource allocation strategies and public health initiatives aimed at reducing access disparities in rapidly developing urban settings.
Keywords: Abu Dhabi, Cluster Analysis, Gender Differences, Income Inequality, Sport Participation.