| Summary: | Abstract Regular physical activity, a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness and the maintenance of normal weight are strongly associated with several positive health outcomes across the lifespan. The aim of this study was to evaluate how physical activity and social status in adolescence are associated with physical activity in adulthood, and how a change in the level of physical activity from adolescence to adulthood is associated with overall and abdominal obesity in adulthood. This study also evaluated the relationship between occupational physical activity and physical fitness and produced reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness for males and females aged 31 years. The study population consisted of the Northern Finland birth cohort of 1966 (N = 12,058). Data on physical activity and social situation at 14 and 31 years were collected by postal inquiries in 1980 and in 1997–1998, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and obesity were measured at medical examination at age 31. Participation in sports twice a week or more after school hours, being a member in a sports club and a high grade in school sports at age 14 were associated with a high level of physical activity at age 31. Adolescent participation in rather intensive endurance sports, and some sports that require or encourage diversified sports skills appeared to be the most beneficial with respect to the enhancement of adult physical activity. Low social class and poor school achievements were associated with physical inactivity at age 14. Poor school achievements at age 14 were also associated with physical inactivity at age 31. Becoming inactive during the transition from adolescence to adulthood was associated with overall obesity in both genders and abdominal obesity in females at 31 years. A linear dose-response relationship was observed between the frequency of participation in brisk exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness. The mean peak oxygen uptake was 43 ml·kg-1·min-1 in males and 34 ml·kg-1·min-1 in females. Very ...
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