Food & Health Alliance

Tammelin, T.; Nayha, S.; Hills, A. P. & Jarvelin, M.-R.  Oulu Regional Institute of Occupational Health; Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, University of Oulu; School of Human Movement Studies, Queensland University and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine. (2003).

Study to investigate relationship between participation and physical activity levels, along with the social determinants for participation in Finland.

Methods:  This sample includes 3664 males and 4130 females, who were 14 years old at Time 1 and 31 years old at Time 2.  Questionnaires were sent by post at Time 1, these focused on types of physical activity, social determinants of activity and demographics.  At 31 years similar questionnaires were completed at a medical assessment, this focused on frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity. 

Findings:  A link was established between physical activity in adolescence and in later life.  Males who participated in activities such as soccer, running and combat sports, predicted high or very high levels of adult activity.  For females participation in cycling, track and field and gymnastics predicted adult activity, however other sports did not, such as skating and swimming.  Participation in endurance activities was also associated with participation in endurance sport in adulthood, perhaps due to the relative ease for individuals to participate in these sports or due to the high selection criteria for these individuals.  Early exposure to physical activity to diverse experiences has an effect on adult physical activity levels.   There were reported differences in geographical areas, in rural areas outdoor sport was more popular, in urban areas people participated in sport that required special facilities.  People who lived in urban areas had more opportunity to participate in more varied activities. 

Implications:  As behaviour in adolescence is associated with levels with physical activity in adulthood, adolescent participation should be encouraged.  It is important that adolescents chose the sports that they enjoy in order to ensure long-term commitment to physical activity. 

Access to full PDF requires Athens log in details.