Childhood and adolescent physical activity patterns and adult physical activity

A major research priority is the influence of childhood and adolescent physical activity patterns on adult physical activity. The research in this area is inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships among specific components of physical activity during childhood and adolescence and exercise habits in adulthood.

We analyzed preteen and teenage experiences, individual and team sports, and several psychosocial variables. One hundred and five male volunteers completed questionnaires about their current (estimated energy expenditure (EE)) and historic physical activity and a treadmill stress test.

Based on correlations and regression analyses, without and with controlling for potentially confounding variables (treadmill run time and sum of skinfolds), the frequency of being forced to exercise and the frequency of being encouraged to exercise during the preteen years were inversely related to adult physical activity. Being forced to exercise during the preteen years was more related to participation in individual sports than to participation in team sports or both individual and team sports.

Being forced to exercise during childhood may have potentially negative consequences for later activity. The findings indicate that experiences related to participation in activity during childhood and adolescence may influence adult physical activity. The implications of our findings are discussed and future research is recommended.