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The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to describe the amount and intensity of physical activity (PA) measured by accelerometry among adolescents participating in organized sports (SCP) and age-matched non-participating peers (NP). SCPs (332) and NPs (139) wore an accelerometer on the hip for seven days. PA was reported using the 1-min exponential moving average. The current moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendation of at least an average of 60 min of MVPA daily was reached by 85% of SCPs and 45% of NPs (p <.001). During training days, the MVPA times among SCPs ranged from 153 ± 39 min in males and 109 ± 35 min in females participating in basketball to 113 ± 33 min in males participating in floorball and 83 ± 32 min in females participating in gymnastics. Sports participation contributes rather strongly to the accumulation of the recommended amount of MVPA. During training days, SCPs, except for females participating in gymnastics, accumulated more MVPA than NPs. During non-training days, only males participating in cross-country skiing and females participating in track and field accumulated more MVPA than NPs. HIGHLIGHTS PA of Finnish adolescents participating in nine different organized sports and age-matched non-participating peers was measured by accelerometry for one week and the results are reported using the 1-min exponential moving average. Adolescents participating in many organized sports accumulated more PA than non-participants; this was observed in meeting the PA recommendations, total amount of PA at different intensities, and step count. The current PA recommendation of at least an average of 60 min of MVPA per day was reached by 85% of SCPs and 45% of non-participating peers. Vigorous physical activity at least three times per week was incorporated by 96% of SCPs and 81% of NPs. During training days, males participating in soccer, basketball, and cross-country skiing spent more time in MVPA than females participating in the same sports. During non-training days, the time spent in MVPA was similar between males and females participating in sports clubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Physical activity may sustain the physical aspect of work ability despite health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety, which are the most prevalent work-related health problem in Europe. Aims To evaluate the association of Finnish municipal workers' accelerometer-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness with their sickness absence levels, perceived work ability and health-related quality of life. Methods In connection with a randomized controlled trial recruiting 185 municipal workers, the authors performed baseline data analysis utilizing quantile regression to examine relationships between the outcome variables (all-cause sickness absence for 6 months, perceived work ability and health-related quality of life) and cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. All results were adjusted for age, sex and education level. Results The median duration of all-cause sickness absence over the preceding 6 months was lowest among participants with high cardiorespiratory fitness relative to the lowest tertile (2.0 versus 6.0 days; P < 0.05), and the highest perceived work ability was found among those with high or moderate cardiorespiratory fitness as compared to the lowest tertile (8.0 versus 7.0; P < 0.001). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity correlated positively with the physical component of health-related quality of life (P < 0.01) and with a high cardiorespiratory-fitness level (P < 0.05). Conclusions High cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with decreased all-cause sickness absence days and improved work ability among municipal workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of back pain in young basketball and floorball players under 21 years of age. The secondary aim was to examine risk factors especially for low back pain (LBP). Nine basketball and nine floorball teams (n = 396) participated in this prospective follow‐up study (2011‐2014). Young athletes (mean age 15.8 ± 1.9) performed physical tests and completed a questionnaire at baseline. The follow‐up lasted 1‐3 years per player. During the follow‐up, back pain reported by the players was registered on a weekly basis and verified by a study physician. The exposure time (AE) on team practices and games was recorded by the coach. Altogether back pain was reported 61 times by 51 players. The incidence of back pain was 87 per 1000 athlete‐years and 0.4 per 1000 hours of AE. Hamstrings, quadriceps and iliopsoas extensibility and general joint hypermobility were not associated with LBP. Furthermore, no association between LBP and leg extension strength or isometric hip abduction strength asymmetry was found in these young basketball and floorball players. In conclusion, back pain can lead to a considerable time‐loss from training and competition among young basketball and floorball players and the pain tends to reoccur. Lower extremity muscle extensibility, general joint hypermobility or investigated lower extremity strength measures were not associated with the risk of LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]