Tutkimukset Physical activity across the life course Changes in physical activity and fitness in adolescence
Changes in physical activity and fitness in adolescence

Determinants of change in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and physical fitness in adolescence
This study identifies the determinants of change in physical activity, sedentary behavior and physical fitness during puberty. Low levels of physical activity in young people are a major public health concern globally. Physical activity decreases as children progress through childhood to adolescence.
Study population consists total of 900 students aged 10 to 13 years at baseline, and their physical activity and fitness will be monitored prospectively for two years. Physical activity, sedentary behaviours and fitness will be measured objectively.
Substudy related to the prerequisites of students’ participation in the creation of physically more active school-day will be examined by participatory observation and interviews for students and teachers.
Results can be used to plan and target the promotion of physical activity among young people.
Publications
- Kallio J, Hakonen H, Syväoja H, Kulmala J, Kankaanpää A, Ekelund U, Tammelin T. Changes in physical activity and sedentary time during adolescence: Gender differences during weekdays and weekend days. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2020 Apr 5. doi: 10.1111/sms.13668
- Jaakkola T, Hakonen H, Kankaanpää A, Joensuu L, Kulmala J, Kallio J, Watt A, Tammelin TH. Longitudinal associations of fundamental movement skills with objectively measured physical activity and sedentariness during school transition from primary to lower secondary school. J Sci Med Sport. 2019 Jan;22(1):85–90. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.07.012.
- Rajala K, Kankaanpää A, Laine K, Itkonen H, Goodman E, Tammelin T. Associations of subjective social status with accelerometer-based physical activity and sedentary time among adolescents. J Sports Sci. 2019 Jan;37(2):123–130. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1485227.
- Joensuu L, Syväoja H, Kallio J, Kulmala J, Kujala UM, Tammelin TH. Objectively measured physical activity, body composition and physical fitness: Cross-sectional associations in 9- to 15-year-old children. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018 Jul;18(6):882–892. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1457081.
- Kallio J, Turpeinen S, Hakonen H & Tammelin T. 2016. Active commuting to school in Finland, the potential for physical activity increase in different seasons. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 75.
Contact information

Tuija Tammelin
Principal Researcher Research on physical activity and health +358400247998 tuija.tammelin@jamk.fi
Funding: Ministry of Education and Culture & Juho Vainio Foundation