This sociocultural benefit of physical activity is characterized by lower crime rates and higher rates of volunteering:

• A. Decreased health care costs
• B. Social inclusion
• C. Camaraderie
• D. Stronger communities

Answer: (D)

Regular physical activity builds social connections and trust across a community. When people participate together—through teams, clubs, or informal groups—they meet neighbors, collaborate, and develop norms of mutual support. This growing social cohesion boosts collective efficacy, meaning residents feel it’s their responsibility to look out for one another, engage in local activities, and contribute to neighborhood safety. Those effects—lower crime rates and more volunteering—capture the sociocultural benefit of stronger communities. While camaraderie describes positive feelings among participants and social inclusion focuses on bringing everyone into social life, the broader outcome that best fits this description is the strengthening of the community as a whole. Decreased health care costs pertain more to individual health outcomes than to social structure.