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Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: a 21-year tracking study
Risto Telama1, Xiaolin Yang, Jorma Viikari
1LIKES Research Center, Keltavuokko 4C, 40520 Jyväskylä, Finland. risto.telama@sport.jyu.fi
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Childhood and adolescent physical activity, particularly when sustained, significantly predicts adult activity levels. This highlights the importance of school-age physical activity for long-term public health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Investigating the long-term stability of physical activity across the lifespan.
- Examining the predictive power of childhood and adolescent physical activity on adult levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze physical activity tracking from childhood to adulthood.
- To determine if early physical activity predicts adult physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (1980-2001).
- Included multiple age cohorts (3-18 years) with repeated measurements.
- Assessed physical activity using a self-report questionnaire and calculated a physical activity index (PAI).
Main Results:
- Tracking correlations over 21 years ranged from 0.14-0.44, generally lower in females.
- Persistent physical activity (most active third for 2-3 consecutive measurements) increased odds of adult activity.
- Odds ratios for 3- and 6-year continuous activity were significantly elevated in both males and females.
Conclusions:
- High, continuous physical activity from ages 9-18 strongly predicts high adult physical activity.
- School-age physical activity influences adult levels, impacting general population public health.
- Despite moderate correlations, the influence of early activity on adult health is significant.