Physical inactivity in children is widespread and increases with age. Inactivity associates with increased risk of health problems. Therefore, this project will test mechanisms leading to physical activity in children. The project adopts a geographically randomized and representative longitudinal design with altogether three time points, at children’s ages of 3-7-years, 7-10-years and 11-12-years (aimed amount of children = 932). The study will test two main hypotheses. First, motor competence in early and middle childhood predicts physical activity later in childhood and health-related fitness is the mechanism which explains this association. Second, social support from important others in early and middle childhood predicts physical activity later in childhood and physical literacy explains this association. New knowledge leads to better tools for physical activity services and help to develop more effective physical activity interventions in families, health care and sport clubs. The data includes questionnaires and field measurements (e.g. physical functional capacity, motor competence, and motor creativity) for children, questionnaires for children's parents and questionnaires for teachers responsible for children's physical education. Detailed documentation of the data is published separately.

2025