The NCAA’s latest participation-rates research reveals that the number of student-athletes who play championship sports has topped the 400,000 mark.

A total of 402,793 student-athletes participated in NCAA championship sports during the 2006-07 academic year, about 9,200 more than in the previous year. The rate of increase was 2.36 percent and represents a slightly higher increase among men (2.37 percent) than women (2.34 percent).

In men’s sports, participation increased from 224,926 in 2005-06 to 230,259 in 2006-07, the highest total ever. Men’s sports participation has been more than 200,000 in 11 of the last 12 years. Women’s sports participation jumped from 168,583 in 2005-06 to 172,534 last year, also the highest total for that gender.

A total of 105 teams in men’s sports were added in 2006-07, while women’s sports teams grew by 133. Most of the team growth for both genders occurred in Division III, with 49 men’s teams and 62 women’s teams being added.

The total average number of teams per institution increased from 16.4 to 16.6 (7.8 men’s teams and 8.8 women’s teams). The average number of teams rose most dramatically in Divisions II and III. Division II went from 13.7 to 14.1 (the first time Division II has averaged higher than 14) and Division III increased from 16.3 to 16.6. Division I actually dropped its average slightly, from 19.1 to 19.0. The Division I average has hovered around 19 for the last decade.

The participation-rates report is available online at www.NCAA.org.