What does this research mean for the field?

Competitive sports participation in childhood or adolescence is associated with significantly better health-related quality of life in adulthood compared to no participation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess how participation in sports during childhood or adolescence affects physical activity and quality of life in adulthood.

February 11, 2026Open Access

Long-term effects of early sports participation on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Finland

Key Result

Competitive sports participation in childhood/adolescence was linked to higher adult physical activity (10.4 MET-h/week) and better health-related quality of life (P < .001).

Key Points

To assess how participation in sports during childhood or adolescence affects physical activity and quality of life in adulthood.
Conducted an observational cross-sectional study in two Finnish towns between 2005-2007.
Surveyed 2503 participants aged 45-70, gathering data on sports participation, physical activity, and health-related quality of life.
Participants were categorized into none, hobby, and competitive groups based on their early sports participation levels.
Participants in the competitive sports group reported significantly better health-related quality of life than the others.
Mean physical activity in MET-h/week was highest in the competitive group at 10.4, followed by hobby group at 9.2, and none group at 8.1.
High levels of childhood sports participation were linked to increased physical activity and better quality of life in adulthood, particularly in mental health domains.

Structured PICO

Does sports participation during childhood or adolescence improve physical activity and health-related quality of life in adulthood?

Population

2,503 apparently healthy cardiovascular risk subjects aged 45–70 years (mean age 58 years) from two rural Finnish towns.

Intervention

Sports participation (SP) during childhood or adolescence (hobby or competitive level)

Comparator

No sports participation during childhood or adolescence

Outcome

Current physical activity (PA) in metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/week) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured by the 36-item Short Form Health Surveypatient reported

High levels of sports participation during childhood or adolescence are associated with higher physical activity and better health-related quality of life in adulthood.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Abstract The effects of sport participation (SP) are typically assessed over relatively short time frames, with limited information regarding long-term impacts. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship of SP during childhood or adolescence with physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adulthood. We performed an observational cross-sectional study. A population survey was conducted in two rural Finnish towns during 2005–7. Apparently healthy cardiovascular risk subjects aged 45–70 years were identified, and information regarding current PA and HRQoL (36-item Short Form Health Survey) and childhood or adolescent SP were gathered using questionnaires. Current PA was measured in metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/week). Participants (n = 2503; mean age 58 years) were divided into three groups based on their SP levels during childhood or adolescence: none (n = 338), hobby (n = 1713), and competitive (n = 452). The mean level of current PA was 8.1 (SD 6.8) MET-h/week in none group, 9.2 (7.1) in hobby group, and 10.4 (7.8) in competitive group (P .001). Participants in the competitive group reported significantly better HRQoL compared to other groups (P .001). Childhood or adolescent SP modified the relationship between adulthood PA and HRQoL. Individuals with high levels of SP during childhood or adolescence were more likely to remain active in adulthood. SP in early life modified the association between adulthood PA and HRQoL and was also associated with better HRQoL in adulthood especially in mental health-related domains. These findings highlight the importance of promoting PA from an early age.