Fit in 50 years: participation in high school sports best predicts one’s physical activity after Age 70
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Author / Producer
Date
2013-12
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Background
The health benefits of physical activity are widely established, including decreased risk for disease and improved mental well-being. Yet many children, adolescents, and adults do not meet the minimum recommendations specified in current public health guidelines and physical activity is known to decrease during the life course. The aim of this study was to identify background or personality characteristics that predict whether a healthy 25 year-old would become a physically active 75 year-old. This could have powerful implications for targeting physical activity and health interventions.
Method
A unique data set was collected of 712 healthy United States males who passed a rigorous physical exam in the 1940s and who were surveyed 50 years later (in 2000). Their physical activity level after 50 years was correlated and regressed across a wide number of demographic, behavioral, and personality variables from when they were 50 years younger. Data was analyzed in 2012.
Results
In contrast to prior beliefs, self-rated personality profile as a young man had little predictive influence on later-life physical activity. Instead, the single strongest predictor of later-life physical activity was whether he played a varsity sport in high school, and this was also related to fewer self-reported visits to the doctor.
Conclusion
Encouraging systematic or frequent physical activity at a young age - whether through school sports or club opportunities - might be the best investment in long-term activeness. This is relevant at a time when funding for many sports programs is being eliminated and play time is being replaced with screen time.
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Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
13
Pages / Article No.
1100
Publisher
BioMed Central
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Exercise; Sports; Athletes; Retirement; Veterans; High school athletics; Football; Basketball; Baseball; Track
Organisational unit
03780 - Siegrist, Michael / Siegrist, Michael