Adherence
Adolescent males who are inactive are at high risk of remaining inactive in young adulthood, whereas inactive adolescent females tend to increase their activity levels.
If you are a young man who is currently inactive, do not assume your activity level is fixed. The data shows that inactive adolescent males are the specific subgroup most likely to remain inactive in adulthood. This is not a life sentence, but it is a strong statistical signal that you need to intervene now, as the window to establish active habits is closing faster for you than for your female peers.
Males with a low level of activity as 13-year-olds stand out as a particular risk group for low activity at age 23... In contrast, females with a low level of activity at baseline increased their level of activity throughout the period.
Why this rating
Longitudinal study with 10-year follow-up and large sample size (N=630), though self-reported activity measures have inherent limitations.
Source
Tracking of leisure-time physical activity during adolescence and young adulthood: a 10-year longitudinal study
Lise Kjønniksen et al. · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · 2008
DOI 10.1186/1479-5868-5-69
More from this paper
- Engaging in multiple specific types of physical activity during adolescence is moderately associated with higher global physical activity levels in young adulthood, whereas participation in single specific sports has weak associations.Good
- There is an average decline in leisure-time physical activity from age 13 to 23, with the decline being significantly greater in males than in females.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →