The study is published on a biennial basis, with the LA84 Foundation launching the exercise in 2016.

The foundation says the study provides aggregated and sport-by-sport data about more than 1.2 million young people from the age of six to 17, who play sports in LA County.

LA84 Foundation said that despite the positive data, efforts should be made to close the widening distance between children and families who can afford to participate in organised youth sports programmes and those who cannot.

"The LA84 Foundation and Play Equity Fund invests in this research because we are committed to finding solutions to the challenges our communities are facing," said Renata Simril, LA84 Foundation President and chief executive.

"Research clearly shows the positive impact that sports and structured play have in kids' lives.

"The data in this report indicates that while kids from more affluent families are able to enjoy the benefits of sports participation, there are barriers for kids who come from lower-income homes.

"Equal access to sports for kids is a social justice issue."

The Foundation said data shows the lack of equal access to sports for children is "a crisis that continues to grow in Los Angeles County".

The percentage of active children is dropping while the percentage of parents voicing concerns about the cost of youth sports participation has increased.

The report also found there has been an increase in girls' sport participation, however, with 82 per cent now taking part compared to 73 per cent in the 2016 survey.

The percentage of all young people playing sports has increased slightly from 2016 and now stands at 82.7 per cent.

Concerns have been raised that the coronavirus pandemic could widen the existing play equity gap.

The Foundation and the Play Equity Fund say they are "committed" to facing these challenges and reversing these trends.

The report can be accessed here.

Los Angeles last hosted the Olympic Games in 1984, and will do so again in 2028.