Long-term effects of early sports participation on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Finland.

The effects of sport participation (SP) are typically assessed over relatively short time frames, with limited information regarding long-term impacts. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship of SP during childhood or adolescence with physical activity (PA) and health-related qualit...

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Published in:European Journal of Public Health Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 1 - 7
Main Authors: Lehtola, Tuomas S M, Korhonen, Päivi, Wasenius, Niko, Kautiainen, Hannu, Laine, Merja K
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Oxford University Press / USA Apr2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2026
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      pub: Oxford University Press / USA
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        atl: Long-term effects of early sports participation on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Finland.
      aug:
        au:
          Lehtola, Tuomas S M
          Korhonen, Päivi
          Wasenius, Niko
          Kautiainen, Hannu
          Laine, Merja K
        affil: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
      sug:
        subj:
          Sports Participation In Infancy and Childhood
          Sports Participation In Adolescence
          Quality of Life Evaluation
          Human
          Funding Source Finland
          Finland
          Male
          Female
          Child
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Descriptive Statistics
          Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)
          Questionnaires
          Two-Way Analysis of Variance
          Data Analysis Software
          Activities of Daily Living
          Mental Health
          Functional Status
          Child: 6-12 years
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Male
          Female
      ab: The effects of sport participation (SP) are typically assessed over relatively short time frames, with limited information regarding long-term impacts. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship of SP during childhood or adolescence with physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adulthood. We performed an observational cross-sectional study. A population survey was conducted in two rural Finnish towns during 2005–7. Apparently healthy cardiovascular risk subjects aged 45–70 years were identified, and information regarding current PA and HRQoL (36-item Short Form Health Survey) and childhood or adolescent SP were gathered using questionnaires. Current PA was measured in metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/week). Participants (n  = 2503; mean age 58 years) were divided into three groups based on their SP levels during childhood or adolescence: none (n  = 338), hobby (n  = 1713), and competitive (n  = 452). The mean level of current PA was 8.1 (SD 6.8) MET-h/week in none group, 9.2 (7.1) in hobby group, and 10.4 (7.8) in competitive group (P < . 001). Participants in the competitive group reported significantly better HRQoL compared to other groups (P < . 001). Childhood or adolescent SP modified the relationship between adulthood PA and HRQoL. Individuals with high levels of SP during childhood or adolescence were more likely to remain active in adulthood. SP in early life modified the association between adulthood PA and HRQoL and was also associated with better HRQoL in adulthood especially in mental health-related domains. These findings highlight the importance of promoting PA from an early age.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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