6.1. Participation in adolescent sports and adult physical activity (I)

The present finding about the association between adolescent and adult level of physical activity is in line with the results obtained in previous longitudinal studies (Engstöm 1986, Telama et al. 1996, Vanreusel et al. 1997). In the present study, participation in sports at least once a week in females and twice a week in males was associated with a high level of physical activity in later life. This level could be interpreted as the minimal dose for adolescent physical activity with respect to enhancement of adult physical activity.

Sallis et al. (1996) and Powell et al. (1987) have suggested that physical activities that can be performed without a team may carry over to adulthood, but our results do not support this tentative idea. Several individual sports, but also most of the ball games in males, showed a strong carry-over value from adolescence into adulthood. The proportion of males participating in ball games at age 31 was relatively high, 27%, although it may be more difficult for a large number of older friends to get together for such an activity compared to adolescent years. Personality traits may also guide one’s selection between individual or team sports. Potentially, those who prefer team sports in adolescence, feel the same in adulthood too.

Adolescent participation in relatively intensive endurance sports, such as skiing, running and orienteering, was associated with a high level of total activity and participation in endurance sports in adulthood. One reason for the high carry-over effect into adulthood may be the ease with which these sports can be performed on one’s own time. Participation is not dependent on company or facilities. Another reason may be the self-selection of the most physiologically talented individuals into such endurance sports. Exercising is easy for such individuals both in adolescence and in adulthood. Also Telama et al. (1997) suggested that a high intensity of adolescent physical activity, defined as sweating and breath-taking, was one of the best predictors of adult activity. A high level of cardiorespiratory fitness (Barnekow-Bergkvist et al. 1998, Glenmark et al. 1994, Kemper et al. 2001a) and aerobic potential, in terms of a high proportion of oxidative type I muscle fibers (Glenmark et al. 1994), have predicted a high level of physical activity in adulthood. Natural selection into endurance sports or participation in them in adolescence seems to predict a high level of physical activity and participation in endurance sports also at adult age. This conclusion has been supported Kujala et al. (2000) who reported in their longitudinal study of top-level athletes that former endurance athletes were physically more active in later life than the other athlete groups and control group.

Participation in organized sports and a high grade in school sports have been reported to be major determinants of continued participation (Telama et al. 1997). In the present study, the participants in those adolescent sports which carried over into the adult years were commonly characterized by high grades in school sports and the membership of a sports club. A high grade in school sports may reflect a well developed and wide range of skills, as well as a positive attitude towards sports. Additionally, membership in a sports club may reflect a more organized way of sports participation.

Many sports need some special motor and coordination skills which are evident in early childhood and may direct the child’s personal selection of the sport. The more skilled individuals may be more likely to participate in a greater variety and quantity of physical activities on a regular basis. Involvement in ball games and track and field, for instance, may further enhance adolescents’ sports skills, and increase the probability that these skills will be used later in life. This underlines the importance of early exposure to high quality and diversified physical activity experiences. The opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities in youth may maximize the probability that one of the activities will suit the needs and skill level of the young person and result in the desire to continue participation into adulthood.

Vanreusel et al. (1997) reported that the dropout rate from recreational sport was lower and appeared at later ages compared to a competitive sports career, defined as participation in competitions during each observed year from 13 to 35 years. However, their longitudinal study of 235 males did not provide information about how a recreational style continued after a competitive career in a specific sports In the current study, a continuation of more intensive and organized adolescent sports into adulthood appeared to be more commonplace. An interesting finding in the present study was that participation in walking and skating, and in males also in cycling and strength training, was not associated with a high level of activity in adulthood. Maybe those adolescents who participated in cycling and walking at 14 years, did not participate in any other particular sport, but simply wanted to register some activity in the questionnaire.

Some social determinants of participation in different types of sports in adolescence were also assessed in order to understand better the background of participation in different types of sport. Socioeconomic status of the family appeared be related to the selection between different adolescent sports. Sallis et al. (1996) contended that socioeconomic situation is not a major factor in the selection of out-of-school activities and sports by adolescents. However, our results suggest an association between father’s occupation and the type of sport. Low social class of the family may weaken parents’ ability to transport children to organized sports, and to pay the fees and equipment required for the young person to participate.

Place of residence was also associated with participation in different sports in adolescence. In rural areas, outdoor sports were more popular. In urban areas, adolescents frequently participated in sports demanding special facilities and organized guidance, such as riding, combat sports and dancing. Compared to their rural counterparts, those who live in an urban environment may have more opportunities to participate in various organized activities and to utilize sports facilities.