Physical activity habits in young people lead to better health outcomes for some

Establishing a long-term recreational exercise habit as a young person has a beneficial impact on physical and mental health later in life, but some groups, such as women and top academic achievers, disproportionately miss out on these benefits.

A University of Adelaide study found that women, people with low self-efficacy, reluctant exercisers, higher academic achievers and those with socio-economic disadvantage are all at greatest risk of failing to establish regular exercise patterns during the transition from adolescence into young adulthood. The findings are published in the news PLOS ONE.

The finding was made by examining data collected as part of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY), which also found that on average, young Australians exercise less regularly each year after the transition from high school to university and into work.

“Sustained regular exercise in young people is known to improve fitness, physical health and self-esteem, reduce anxiety and create long-term patterns that reduce disease risk in adulthood,” said Associate Professor Oliver Schubert from the University of Adelaide. Medical School and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network.

“There appears to be a critical period in people’s teenage years, around age 15, to establish this behavior.”

Although women’s sports are becoming increasingly important, researchers say several factors contribute to the gender disparity.

“The disadvantage women experience is influenced by reduced opportunities, lower access and lack of diversity in sport, as well as differing parental and cultural expectations, stereotypes and role models,” says Dr. Julie Morgan, Clinical Associate Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. Discipline of psychiatry and lead author of the study.

“Psychological factors, such as perceived sports competence and self-efficacy, may play an additional role. Our research highlights that more needs to be done to promote long-term regular physical activity in female adolescents.”

Women were not the only risk group that came as a surprise to the researchers.

“The risk to academic high achievers was unexpected and highlights the need to promote a balance between study and self-care for this group,” said Associate Professor Scott Clark, Head of the Discipline of Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide.

Previous research has produced similar findings regarding the benefits of building exercise habits, but the LSAY data provides clearer insight than previously possible.

“The large size and high follow-up rate of LSAY, which follows Australian youth as they transition from school to study or work, makes it an extremely valuable resource for analyzing the impact of changes in society and policies that affect can have on educational, occupational and working conditions physical and mental health outcomes,” says Jana Bednarz, a senior statistician from the University of Adelaide who conducted the longitudinal modeling analyses.

“Our trajectory-based repeated measures analysis provides more robust data than previous cross-sectional studies, where data are collected only once, and therefore provides good evidence for the development of youth movement policy in Australia.”

The researchers say early outreach is needed to encourage the at-risk groups they identified to develop long-lasting exercise habits.

“Since the predictors of these patterns can be identified as early as age 15, there is a key role for secondary school, especially in the latter years, when academic achievement becomes increasingly important for young people,” said Associate Professor Schubert.

“Universities and vocational training institutions could also set up programs to support and encourage physical activity and sport.

“Governments and local councils need to ask whether current leisure infrastructure supports the needs of young people. Funding and support for grassroots community sport across gender and socio-economic groups is critical.”