Does organized sport participation
during youth predict healthy habits in adulthood? A 28-year longitudinal study
during youth predict healthy habits in adulthood? A 28-year longitudinal study
Palomäki
S, Hirvensalo M, Smith K, Raitakari O, Männistö S, Hutri-Kähönen N, Tammelin T.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;1–8: 10.1111/sms.13205
S, Hirvensalo M, Smith K, Raitakari O, Männistö S, Hutri-Kähönen N, Tammelin T.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;1–8: 10.1111/sms.13205
Take Home Message:
Individuals who participated in youth sport, especially women, were more likely
to maintain 3-4 healthy habits into adulthood.
Individuals who participated in youth sport, especially women, were more likely
to maintain 3-4 healthy habits into adulthood.
Individuals with healthy habits (e.g. regular exercise, proper
nutrition, non-smoking) have lower mortality rates and risk of cardiovascular
disease compared to those who do not. If an adolescent engages in these healthy
habits they tend to continue them into adulthood. It is not known whether participation
in youth sports can influence healthy behaviors in adulthood. The authors of
this study investigated whether participation in organized youth sport are
related to healthy habits as an adult. Data were originally extracted from a
national study conducted in Finland to determine cardiovascular disease risk
factors. For the current study, the authors sampled 1,285 participants (669
women and 616 men), using time points in 1983 and 1986 when the participants
were 9, 12, and 15 years old and 12,15, and 18 years old, respectively. To
determine healthy habits in adulthood, participants were asked in 2011 (age 37,
40, 43) to self-report smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity
level, and intake of fruits and vegetables. Youth sport participation was defined
as either regular (at least once/week) or no participation/less than once a
week. The authors categorized participants into 4 groups:
nutrition, non-smoking) have lower mortality rates and risk of cardiovascular
disease compared to those who do not. If an adolescent engages in these healthy
habits they tend to continue them into adulthood. It is not known whether participation
in youth sports can influence healthy behaviors in adulthood. The authors of
this study investigated whether participation in organized youth sport are
related to healthy habits as an adult. Data were originally extracted from a
national study conducted in Finland to determine cardiovascular disease risk
factors. For the current study, the authors sampled 1,285 participants (669
women and 616 men), using time points in 1983 and 1986 when the participants
were 9, 12, and 15 years old and 12,15, and 18 years old, respectively. To
determine healthy habits in adulthood, participants were asked in 2011 (age 37,
40, 43) to self-report smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity
level, and intake of fruits and vegetables. Youth sport participation was defined
as either regular (at least once/week) or no participation/less than once a
week. The authors categorized participants into 4 groups:
1. actives: regular activity in 1983 and 1986
2. dropouts: regular activity in 1983, but not in 1986
3. beginners: no activity in 1983 but
regular activity in 1986
regular activity in 1986
4. non-actives: no regular activity in either 1983 nor 1986
Among these groups, the number
of healthy habits in adulthood differed. Specifically, when the number of
healthy habits were split by 0-2 habits or 3-4 habits, the actives were 1.75 times
more likely to have 3-4 healthy habits in adulthood than non-actives, even
after adjusting for other important factors (such as, age, socioeconomic status,
and presence of chronic diseases/disabilities). Active females had roughly two times
greater odds for having 3-4 healthy habits compared to non-active females. When
comparing active and non-active males, active males were only ~27% more likely
to have 3-4 healthy habits in adulthood; but, this is unlikely a meaningful
difference. Based on these results, the authors concluded that regular
participation in youth sport was positively associated with increased healthy
habits in adulthood and this relationship was more evident among women.
of healthy habits in adulthood differed. Specifically, when the number of
healthy habits were split by 0-2 habits or 3-4 habits, the actives were 1.75 times
more likely to have 3-4 healthy habits in adulthood than non-actives, even
after adjusting for other important factors (such as, age, socioeconomic status,
and presence of chronic diseases/disabilities). Active females had roughly two times
greater odds for having 3-4 healthy habits compared to non-active females. When
comparing active and non-active males, active males were only ~27% more likely
to have 3-4 healthy habits in adulthood; but, this is unlikely a meaningful
difference. Based on these results, the authors concluded that regular
participation in youth sport was positively associated with increased healthy
habits in adulthood and this relationship was more evident among women.
The strengths of this study lie in the time span of follow-up
and large sample size. However, the authors recognized limitations related to a
selection bias, participant drop-out, and use of self-reported data. It should
be noted that sport participation in Finland is not sponsored by the school
systems and is externally governed by national sport federations. While the
results support an assertion that children who participate in sport maintain
healthy habits into adulthood, we should be careful about extending these
findings to other countries. In the United States, early sport-specialization
appears to demonstrate a negative impact on long-term health and represents a
significant area of concern for parents, coaches, clinicians, and researchers. Furthermore,
only ~40% of US college graduates meet exercise guidelines, regardless of whether they were athletes or not. The
results of this study indicate that regular participation in youth sport,
especially among females, can lead to the development of healthy habits as an
adult. Parents and coaches should seek an appropriate level of regular
involvement to promote long-term athletic development across multiple
sports/activities. Clinicians must consider that every patient and client
contact with a youth athlete is an opportunity to provide education on
developing an appropriate balance while participating. While they may be
physically active on a regular basis, the importance of nutrition, rest, proper
sleep, and engaging in an off-season should be emphasized so young athletes can
develop more wholistic and sustainable health and wellness habits secondary to
their sport activity.
and large sample size. However, the authors recognized limitations related to a
selection bias, participant drop-out, and use of self-reported data. It should
be noted that sport participation in Finland is not sponsored by the school
systems and is externally governed by national sport federations. While the
results support an assertion that children who participate in sport maintain
healthy habits into adulthood, we should be careful about extending these
findings to other countries. In the United States, early sport-specialization
appears to demonstrate a negative impact on long-term health and represents a
significant area of concern for parents, coaches, clinicians, and researchers. Furthermore,
only ~40% of US college graduates meet exercise guidelines, regardless of whether they were athletes or not. The
results of this study indicate that regular participation in youth sport,
especially among females, can lead to the development of healthy habits as an
adult. Parents and coaches should seek an appropriate level of regular
involvement to promote long-term athletic development across multiple
sports/activities. Clinicians must consider that every patient and client
contact with a youth athlete is an opportunity to provide education on
developing an appropriate balance while participating. While they may be
physically active on a regular basis, the importance of nutrition, rest, proper
sleep, and engaging in an off-season should be emphasized so young athletes can
develop more wholistic and sustainable health and wellness habits secondary to
their sport activity.
Questions for Discussion: Do you think these results reflect the sport culture in Finland? Are
they applicable to the United States?
they applicable to the United States?
Written By: Laura McDonald
Reviewed
by: Jeffrey Driban
by: Jeffrey Driban
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