Physical Activity and Fitness: Implications for Activity, Fitness, and Health During Youth and Adulthood

This overview considered the implications of adolescent physical activity and fitness for activity, fitness, and health status in adulthood; it is not, however, a systematic review. Several longitudinal studies that considered the timing of adolescence as a factor influencing physical activity, fitness, and health status in adulthood were initially considered. The tracking of physical activity, fitness, and health status across intervals within adulthood was then considered. Results of several longitudinal studies spanning adolescence and different age ranges in adulthood highlighted the implications of variation in the timing of adolescence for physical activity, fitness, and health status in adulthood. Although corresponding data tracking activity across adulthood were less extensive, the results highlighted the health-related benefits of regular physical activity.