Diverging paths in physical activity and sports participation (Health Promoting Sports Club, HPSC) is a Finnish cohort study in which different patterns of physical activity (maintaining, decreasing, and increasing activity) and sports club participation (maintainers, non-participants, drop-outs, and sports club joiners) are identified. The study also examines the determinants and correlates of these change patterns (in relation to e.g. life events, health behaviour, and health), and further, the health outcomes of the patterns. The study started in years 2013/2014, when the study participants were at mean age 15 years, and especially comparisons between the sports club participants with their non-participating peers were made. Moreover, the health promotion activity of the sports clubs have been examined from the view of young people and also assessed by coaches and club officials. The study data consist of surveys, accelerometer measurements and health examinations (medical screening recordings from physicians, results from pulmonary function tests and resting blood samples), as well as physical activity and sleep diaries. At baseline, the participants were recruited through schools (n=100) and sports clubs (n=156) from the six largest cities in Finland, plus surrounding communities.

2023