Associations of early-life motor development, young adulthood temperament and anhedonia with physical activity in midlife and changes in physical activity during adulthood – Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

Master of Health Sciences Anna-Kaisa Karppanen’s doctoral research conducted at the University of Oulu and Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation shows that women's later age of learning early-life motor developmental milestones was associated with higher amount of light physical activity and lower time spent sedentary. Women with passive temperaments, who avoided difficulties and did not seek experiences, were rarely physically active throughout adulthood and were also less likely to increase their physical activity in adulthood. Those with a persistent temperament, on the other hand, were quite active and also increased their physical activity. The study also found that the inability to experience pleasure from bodily sensory experiences was associated with lower amount of physical activity and higher amount of sedentary time in women.

The study data consisted of all persons born in Northern Finland in 1966, from whom information on lifestyle and health was collected by extensive surveys and measurements. Information on early-life motor milestones was collected from the welfare card data. Traits of temperament and anhedonia were evaluated by questionnaires at the age of 31. Physical activity was collected by questionnaire at the age of 31 and 46 and with an accelerometer-based device at the age of 46.

Physically active lifestyle tracks from early childhood to adulthood. The earlier motor milestones develop in infancy, the more likely a person is to participate in organised sports in adolescence and have better physical performance as a young adult. It is also known that certain traits of temperament are associated with the amount of physical activity and sedentary time. However, it has not previously been studied whether early-life motor development in infancy is associated with physical activity and sedentary time even at midlife. It is also unknown how temperament is related to changes in physical activity behaviour during adulthood. The association between anhedonia, i.e. inability to feel pleasure, and movement behaviour has not previously been studied using accelerometer-based device.

The results of the study shed new light on how infant motor development and young adulthood temperament and anhedonia are linked to physical activity behaviour in adulthood. The study increases our understanding of the links between individual factors and movement behaviour. "Information on the links between temperament and physical activity behaviour can be utilised in the planning and implementation of more individualised physical activity counseling. The information helps to target interventions for those at need and those who benefit the most from them.

Master of Health Sciences Anna-Kaisa Karppanen defends her doctoral dissertation at the University of Oulu on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The title of this doctoral dissertation in the field of medicine is: Associations of early-life motor development, young adulthood temperament and anhedonia with physical activity in midlife and changes in physical activity during adulthood – Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. The public defence will begin in the Wegelius Auditorium of Oulu Deaconess Institute (Albertinkatu 16, Oulu), at 12 noon.