Trends in leisure time physical activity among young people in Finland, 1977—2007

Abstract

The decline in physical activity among young people has been discussed in the media during recent decades, although the scientific evidence for this has been scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate trends over 30 years in leisure time physical activity of Finnish boys and girls aged 12, 14, 16 and 18 years from 1977 to 2007. The data were obtained from the Finnish Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey. In the survey nationwide samples have been drawn every second year (number of respondents has varied from 2832 to 8390) since 1977. Leisure time physical activity was measured through questions concerning organized sport and unorganized leisure time physical activity. Participation in organized sport significantly increased from 1977 to 2007 in both genders. Time × gender interaction was significant, indicating that participation had increased more among girls than among boys. In both genders participation in unorganized leisure time physical activity decreased from 1977 to 1985, increasing thereafter until 2007. The increase from 2003 to 2007 was significant in organized sport but not in unorganized leisure time physical activity. It is concluded that there is an upward trend in Finnish adolescents' leisure time physical activity and in organized sport in particular, and that the increase in activity has been greater in girls than boys.