Adherence
Intensive and continuous physical activity participation during school age is a strong predictor of high physical activity levels in adulthood, whereas inactivity tends to track from youth to adulthood.
Encourage children and teenagers to engage in regular, intensive physical activity or sports clubs. The specific sport matters less than the consistency and intensity. Establishing this habit early creates a strong trajectory toward an active adult life, while early inactivity is likely to persist.
It seems that intensive participation in general in physical activity and sports, as well as participation at school age, are important predictors of adulthood participation. Especially, inactivity rather than activity tends to track from youth to adulthood.
Why this rating
Based on multiple longitudinal birth cohort studies (e.g., Northern Finland 1966, Young Finns) with large sample sizes and long follow-ups.
Source
Life-course perspective for physical activity and sports participation
Mirja Hirvensalo et al. · European Review of Aging and Physical Activity · 2011
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