16 research outputs found
Musculoskeletal examination in young athletes and non-athletes: the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) study
Objectives: To determine the inter-rater repeatability of a musculoskeletal examination and to compare findings between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in Finland.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a musculoskeletal examination assessing posture, mobility and movement control was carried out by a sports and exercise medicine physician on 399 athletes aged 14â17 years and 177 non-athletes. Within 2âweeks another sports and exercise medicine physician repeated the examination for 41 adolescents to test the inter-rater repeatability.Results: In total, 10 of the 11 tests performed had at least moderate inter-rater reliability (Îș â„0.4âor percentage agreement >80%). Athletes more often than non-athletes had one shoulder protruded (8.0% vs 4.0%, OR 2.81, 95%âCI 1.16 to 6.81). Forty-six per cent of athletes had good knee control in the two-legged vertical drop jump test compared with 32% of non-athletes (OR 1.99, 95%âCI 1.29 to 3.06). Athletes had better core muscle control with 86.3% being able to remain in the correct plank position for 30âs compared with 68.6% of non-athletes (OR 2.70, 95%âCI 1.67 to 4.36). In the deep squat test, good lumbar spine control was maintained only by 35.8% of athletes and 38.4% of non-athletes.Conclusion: A basic musculoskeletal examination is sufficiently reliable to be performed by trained physicians as a part of a periodic health evaluation. Shortfalls in mobility, posture and movement control are common in both athletes and non-athletes. These deficits could have been caused by sedentary behaviour, monotonous training, or both.</p
Haemoglobin, iron status and lung function of adolescents participating in organised sports in the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club Study
Objectives To compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).Methods In this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume spirometry were performed on SP youths (199 boys, 203 girls) and their NP peers (62 boys, 114 girls) aged 14-17.Results Haemoglobin concentration Conclusions Screening for iron deficiency is recommended for symptomatic persons and persons engaging in sports. Lung function testing is recommended for symptomatic persons and persons participating in sports in which asthma is more prevalent.</div
Periodic Health Examinations in Young Athletes : The Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) Study
TĂ€mĂ€n vĂ€itöskirjan tarkoituksena oli tutkia liikuntaseuroihin osallistuvien 14â17- vuotiaiden nuorten fyysistĂ€ aktiivisuutta ja terveydentilaa urheilijan terveystarkastuksella. Tutkimuksessa mukana olleet seurat olivat eri puolilta Suomea ja mukana oli kymmenen suosituinta lajia, mukana oli sekĂ€ kesĂ€- ettĂ€ talvilajeja ja joukkue- sekĂ€ yksilölajeja. VertailuryhmĂ€n muodostivat yhdeksĂ€sluokkalaiset nuoret. FyysistĂ€ aktiivisuutta mitattiin viikon ajan kiihtyvyysmittarilla ja kattava urheilijan terveystarkastus tehtiin 399 seuratoimintaan osallistuvalle ja 177:lle seuratoimintaan osallistumattomalle nuorelle. Tarkastuksen suoritti lÀÀkĂ€ri ja tarkastus sisĂ€lsi esitietojen lĂ€pikĂ€ymisen keskustellen, kliinisen yleistutkimuksen, perusteellisen tuki- ja liikuntaelimistön tutkimuksen, sydĂ€nfilmin, spirometria tutkimuksen, verenpaineen mittauksen sekĂ€ verikokeita. Tiedot Ă€killisistĂ€- ja rasitusvammoista viimeisen vuoden ajalta 1077 seuratoimintaan osallistuvalta ja 812 seuratoimintaan osallistumattomalta nuorelta. Aineisto kerĂ€ttiin vuosina 2013â2014.
Liikunnan positiiviset terveysvaikutukset ovat kiistattomat. Seuratoimintaan osallistuvista nuorista 85 % ja 45 % seuratoimintaan osallistumattomista nuorista liikkui suomalaisen ja maailman terveysjÀrjestön (WHO) suosituksen mukaisesti eli vÀhintÀÀn kohtuukuormitteisesti keskimÀÀrin tunnin ajan joka pÀivÀ. Urheileville nuorille suositellaan palautumisen kannalta vÀhintÀÀn yhtÀ lepopÀivÀÀ ohjelmoidusta harjoittelusta viikossa, toisaalta riittÀvÀ arkiaktiivisuus auttaa yllÀpitÀmÀÀn hyvÀÀ peruskuntoa, joka on tÀrkeÀ ominaisuus kaikille nuorille.
Liikunnan harrastamisen varjopuolena on kohonnut vammariski. VÀitöskirjatutkimuksessa viimeisen vuoden aikana seuratoimintaan osallistuvista nuorista 44 % raportoi vÀhintÀÀn yhden Àkillisen vamman ja 35 % vÀhintÀÀn yhden rasitusvamman, seuratoimintaan osallistumattomista nuorista 20 % raportoi vÀhintÀÀn yhden Àkillisen vamman ja 17 % vÀhintÀÀn yhden rasitusvamman. Seuratoimintaan osallistuvilla runsaampi harjoittelun ja kilpailujen mÀÀrÀ oli yhteydessÀ suurempaan vammariskiin. Vammat aiheuttavat paljon poissaoloja urheilusta, vammojen ehkÀisy on kuitenkin mahdollista ja tÀhÀn tulisi jatkossa kiinnittÀÀ enemmÀn huomiota.
Tuki- ja liikuntaelimistön tutkimuksessa todettiin, ettÀ seuratoimintaan osallistuminen oli yhteydessÀ parempaan hartiaseudun ja nilkkojen liikkuvuuteen, parempaan polven hallintaan pudotushyppytestissÀ sekÀ parempaan keskivartalonhallintaan lankkutestissÀ. Molemmilla ryhmillÀ esiintyi puolieroja ryhdissÀ sekÀ puutteita liikkuvuudessa ja liikehallinnassa, nÀmÀ voivat liittyÀ runsaaseen paikallaoloon ja/tai yksipuoliseen harjoitteluun. Toistettavuus vaihteli eri osatestien vÀlillÀ, mutta yleisesti toistettavuus oli riittÀvÀ kahden lÀÀkÀrin vÀlillÀ.
Raudanpuutteen ja hoitamattoman astman merkitys etenkin kestĂ€vyyslajeissa on korostunut ja lajeista etenkin maastohiihtoon liittyy kohonnut astmariski. Raudanpuute todettiin kĂ€ytetystĂ€ ferritiinin raja-arvosta riippuen 23â60 %:lla tytöistĂ€ ja 5â30 %:lla pojista ja rautalisĂ€ oli kĂ€ytössĂ€ alle 4 %:lla tutkittavista. Astmaan sopiva tulos keuhkojen toimintakokeessa todettiin 7 %:lla seuratoimintaan osallistuvista nuorista. Ryhmien vĂ€lillĂ€ ei ollut tilastollisesti merkitseviĂ€ eroja anemian, raudanpuutteen tai astmaan viittaavien löydösten suhteen.
SydÀmen ja verenkiertoelimistön toiminnan tutkimisen tarkoituksena on löytÀÀ mahdollinen piilevÀ sydÀnsairaus, joka voi vaarantaa urheilijan terveyden. SydÀnsairauteen viittaavat löydökset on tÀrkeÀ erottaa normaaleista harjoittelun aikaansaamista muutoksista. Toistuvan fyysisen rasituksen vaikutukset sydÀn- ja verenkiertoelimistöön, kuten matalampi syke, korkeampi QRS kompleksin amplitudi ja matalampi diastolinen verenpaine, ovat nÀhtÀvissÀ jo nuorilla urheilijoilla. Systolinen verenpaine oli useammin koholla ei-kestÀvyyslajeihin osallistuvilla nuorilla kuin kestÀvyyslajien urheilijoilla ja urheiluun osallistumattomilla.
TĂ€mĂ€ vĂ€itöskirjatyö tuo esille, ettĂ€ liikuntaseurantatoimintaan osallistumiseen liittyy terveyden kannalta edullisia tekijöitĂ€, kuten runsaampi fyysinen aktiivisuus ja parempi kehonhallinta. Urheilijan terveystarkastuksessa voidaan todeta piilevĂ€ sairaus tai muu poikkeavuus, joka heikentÀÀ suorituskykyĂ€ tai pahimmillaan vaarantaa urheilijan terveyden. YhdistĂ€mĂ€llĂ€ tarkastuksen eri osa-alueista saatava tieto saadaan hyvĂ€ kĂ€sitys urheilijan terveydentilasta. Terveystarkastukset suositellaan otettavan osaksi tavoitteellisesti urheilevien nuorten valmennuksen tukitoimia. Liikuntaa suositellaan kaikille nuorille, joten riittĂ€vÀÀn liikunnan mÀÀrÀÀn ja laatuun, liikuntavammojen ehkĂ€isyyn ja liikuntaan liittyviin oireisiin tulee jatkossa kiinnittÀÀ enemmĂ€n huomiota myös koko ikĂ€luokalle tehtĂ€vissĂ€ terveystarkastuksissa.The purpose of this dissertation was to assess the physical activity and health of adolescents aged 14â17 participating in sports clubs and to evaluate the operability of a periodic health examination. The sports clubs participating in the study were from different regions of Finland, and the ten most popular sports were included. Both summer and winter sports and team and individual sports were incorporated. Adolescents of the same age not participating in sports clubs formed the control group.
Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer for one week. A comprehensive health examination was carried out at one of the Centers of Excellence in Sports Medicine by a physician on 399 sports club participants and 177 non-participants. The examination included a medical history questionnaire, general clinical examination, musculoskeletal examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, blood pressure measurement and blood tests. Acute and overuse injuries within the past year were surveyed from 1,077 adolescents participating in sports clubs and 812 non-participants. The data was collected during 2013â2014.
In this study, the current World Health Organization and Finnish physical activity guidelines of an average of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, was reached by 85% of sports club participants and 45% of non-participants. While daily physical activity is recognized as being beneficial for health and developing basic endurance, athletes are recommended at least one day per week without programmed training to allow for sufficient recovery.
The downside of sports participation is the increased risk of injury. At least one acute injury within the past year was reported by 44% and at least one overuse injury by 35% of sports club participants. The corresponding percentages for non- participants were 20% and 17%, respectively. A higher training volume and greater number of competitions were associated with a higher acute injury risk in sports club participants. Injury prevention can be effective and deserves more attention, as injuries cause significant time loss from sports.
In the musculoskeletal examination, we found that sports club participation was associated with better shoulder and ankle mobility, better knee control in the vertical drop jump test, and better core muscle control in the plank test. However, both groups had postural asymmetries and shortcomings in mobility and movement control, which may be associated with prolonged sedentary behavior and/or monotonous training. The interrater repeatability varied between different parts of the musculoskeletal examination, as a whole we found that it was adequate between two physicians.
The significance of iron deficiency and untreated asthma is underlined in endurance sports and the risk of asthma is increased especially among cross-country skiers. In this dissertation, iron deficiency was found in 23â60% of females and 5â 30% of males, depending on the threshold value of ferritin used (15â30 ”g/l). Less than 4% of adolescent males and females reported taking supplementary iron. A result diagnostic for asthma in the lung function test was found in 7% of sports club participants who were not using asthma medication.
The goal of the cardiovascular examination is to detect underlying cardiac disease that may endanger the health of the athlete. It is important to differentiate between physiological adaptations associated with training and pathologic changes which may be a sign of cardiac disease. We found that young athletes exhibit similar physiological adaptations to regular physical exertion as adults as adults, such as sinus bradycardia, higher QRS amplitude, and lower diastolic blood pressure, regardless of the type of sport. Systolic blood pressure was more frequently elevated in adolescents participating in non-endurance sports than in endurance sport participants and non- participants.
This dissertation showed that sports club participation is associated with health benefits, such as a greater amount of physical activity and better musculoskeletal control. Due to the factors found in the study that may compromise the health of the athlete and reduce the amount of healthy training days, we recommend carrying out periodic health examinations for adolescents participating in competitive sports. Daily physical activity, as well as frequent vigorous physical activity, is recommended for all adolescents. Therefore, more effort should be made to encourage sufficient amounts of physical activity, to prevent injuries, and systematically assess symptoms associated with physical activity in all adolescents in their regular medical checkups
Oppimista tukevat kÀytÀnnöt ja vertaisarvioinnin toimivuus lastentautien kliinisellÀ kurssilla
Johdanto: Tutkimuksen ensimmÀisen osan tavoite oli saada tietoa opiskelijoiden ja opettajien mielipiteistÀ opetusta koskevista kÀytÀnnöistÀ. Toisen osan tavoite oli selvittÀÀ vertaisarvioinnin luotettavuutta arviointimenetelmÀnÀ. Aineisto ja menetelmÀt: Tutkimuksen kohteena olivat Tampereen yliopiston lÀÀketieteen laitoksen lastentautien kliinisen kurssin opiskelijat ja osittain myös opettajat. Tutkimuksen ensimmÀinen osa toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksena opiskelijoille ja opettajille. Toisessa osassa ulkopuoliset arvioijat arvioivat lastentautien kliinisen kurssin sisÀÀnpÀÀsytentin ja annettuja pisteitÀ verrattiin opiskelijatovereiden antamiin pisteisiin.
Tulokset: SekÀ opiskelijat ettÀ opettajat olivat sitÀ mieltÀ, ettÀ opiskelijan tulisi valmistautua ryhmÀopetukseen etukÀteen. Molemmat olivat myös yksimielisiÀ siitÀ, ettÀ lÀÀketieteen opetukseen osallistuminen tulisi varmistaa. Poissaolojen korvaamistavoissa esiintyi erimielisyyttÀ opiskelijoiden ja opettajien vÀlillÀ. Ryhmien nÀkemykset erosivat toisistaan myös siinÀ, mikÀ olisi paras keino varmistaa oppiminen. Tutkimuksen mukaan vertaisarviointi on arviointimenetelmÀnÀ luotettava.
Pohdinta: Opiskelijat ovat motivoituneita lÀÀketieteen opintoihin, ja he ymmÀrtÀvÀt, ettÀ lÀÀkÀrin ammatin vaatimusten takia on tÀrkeÀÀ kontrolloida opetuksessa lÀsnÀoloa ja oppimista. Kuitenkin kontrollointimenetelmÀn tulisi aiheuttaa mahdollisimman vÀhÀn ylimÀÀrÀistÀ vaivaa opettajalle ja opiskelijalle. Poissaolojen korvaamisessa on pyrkimys tuottaa mahdollisimman vÀhÀn haittaa menossa oleville opinnoille. Vertaisarvioinnin luotettavuus puolustaa sen kÀyttöÀ erityisesti sisÀÀnpÀÀsytentissÀ. Vertaisarviointi on tehokas tapa oppia kurssin perustiedot, sillÀ ulkopuolisen tekemÀÀn arviointiin verrattuna oppimista tapahtuu tentin tekemisen ohella myös korjaamisprosessin aikana.
Avainsanat: ryhmÀopetukseen valmistautuminen, poissaolot, lÀsnÀolon varmistaminen, oppimisen varmistaminen, vertaisarviointi, propedeuttinen tentt
Oppimista tukevat kÀytÀnnöt ja vertaisarvioinnin toimivuus lastentautien kliinisellÀ kurssilla
Johdanto: Tutkimuksen ensimmÀisen osan tavoite oli saada tietoa opiskelijoiden ja opettajien mielipiteistÀ opetusta koskevista kÀytÀnnöistÀ. Toisen osan tavoite oli selvittÀÀ vertaisarvioinnin luotettavuutta arviointimenetelmÀnÀ. Aineisto ja menetelmÀt: Tutkimuksen kohteena olivat Tampereen yliopiston lÀÀketieteen laitoksen lastentautien kliinisen kurssin opiskelijat ja osittain myös opettajat. Tutkimuksen ensimmÀinen osa toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksena opiskelijoille ja opettajille. Toisessa osassa ulkopuoliset arvioijat arvioivat lastentautien kliinisen kurssin sisÀÀnpÀÀsytentin ja annettuja pisteitÀ verrattiin opiskelijatovereiden antamiin pisteisiin.
Tulokset: SekÀ opiskelijat ettÀ opettajat olivat sitÀ mieltÀ, ettÀ opiskelijan tulisi valmistautua ryhmÀopetukseen etukÀteen. Molemmat olivat myös yksimielisiÀ siitÀ, ettÀ lÀÀketieteen opetukseen osallistuminen tulisi varmistaa. Poissaolojen korvaamistavoissa esiintyi erimielisyyttÀ opiskelijoiden ja opettajien vÀlillÀ. Ryhmien nÀkemykset erosivat toisistaan myös siinÀ, mikÀ olisi paras keino varmistaa oppiminen. Tutkimuksen mukaan vertaisarviointi on arviointimenetelmÀnÀ luotettava.
Pohdinta: Opiskelijat ovat motivoituneita lÀÀketieteen opintoihin, ja he ymmÀrtÀvÀt, ettÀ lÀÀkÀrin ammatin vaatimusten takia on tÀrkeÀÀ kontrolloida opetuksessa lÀsnÀoloa ja oppimista. Kuitenkin kontrollointimenetelmÀn tulisi aiheuttaa mahdollisimman vÀhÀn ylimÀÀrÀistÀ vaivaa opettajalle ja opiskelijalle. Poissaolojen korvaamisessa on pyrkimys tuottaa mahdollisimman vÀhÀn haittaa menossa oleville opinnoille. Vertaisarvioinnin luotettavuus puolustaa sen kÀyttöÀ erityisesti sisÀÀnpÀÀsytentissÀ. Vertaisarviointi on tehokas tapa oppia kurssin perustiedot, sillÀ ulkopuolisen tekemÀÀn arviointiin verrattuna oppimista tapahtuu tentin tekemisen ohella myös korjaamisprosessin aikana.
Avainsanat: ryhmÀopetukseen valmistautuminen, poissaolot, lÀsnÀolon varmistaminen, oppimisen varmistaminen, vertaisarviointi, propedeuttinen tentt
Educational and family-related determinants of organized sports participation patterns from adolescence to emerging adulthood : A four-year follow-up study
This study aimed to identify organized sports participation patterns and their prevalence from adolescence to emerging adulthood, and the educational and family-related determinants of the patterns. Adolescents in the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) study answered a health behaviour questionnaire and reported on sports club participation at ages 15 and 19 (Nâ=â609). In emerging adulthood, dropouts (total 41.05%; females 43.72%; males 36.56%), maintainers (30.87; 26.44; 38.33), nonparticipants (27.59; 29.32; 24.67), and joiners (0.49; 0.52; 0.44) (pâ=â.024) were identified. A mixed multinomial logistic regression analysis showed, that male gender, as compared to female gender, increased the odds of being a maintainer rather than a nonparticipant or dropout. Among females, high achievement at school and aspiration towards upper secondary school at age 15 increased the odds of being a maintainer at age 19 rather than a nonparticipant. High achievement at school and experiencing a (strong) decrease in parental support for physical activity/sport increased the odds of being a dropout rather than a nonparticipant. Having no experience of a strong decrease in parental support increased the odds of being a maintainer rather than a dropout. Among males, aspiration towards upper secondary school increased the odds of being a maintainer or dropout rather than a nonparticipant. The most common reason for dropping out was study, which was also the most prevalent life status at age 19. The findings highlight a need for more flexible possibilities to combine organized sports participation and school studies, and the importance of parental support for physical activity/sport.peerReviewe
Resting electrocardiogram and blood pressure in young athletes and nonathletes : A 4-year follow-up
A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in a 4-year follow-up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs (SC) in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data participated in this observational follow-up study. Those who maintained or adopted SC participation are referred to as âAlways athletesâ (n=137), those who never participated in SC as âNever athletesâ (n=108) and those who dropped out of SC during the follow-up as âChangersâ (n=116). The mean age of the participants was 15.5 (0.6) years in all study groups at baseline. Resting ECG including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis and QT interval and BP were measured from all participants at baseline and after follow-up. âAlways athletesâ had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude than âNever athletesâ at baseline and at 4-years (P 0.05) except the difference in T-wave axis (P = 0.028). The significant group x time interaction between âChangersâ and âNever athletesâ was found for QRS amplitude (P = 0.017). Adolescent athletes have several training-induced cardiovascular adaptations, which return towards the levels of non-athletes after cessation of regular training.peerReviewe
Is health promotion in sports clubs associated with adolescent participantsâ fruit and vegetable consumption?
Background
Although sports clubsâ potential for health promotion is acknowledged, research on whether they promote healthy eating is limited. We aimed to evaluate Finnish youth sports clubsâ health promotion orientation, as well as associations between sports clubsâ health promotion orientation, coachesâ nutritional discussions and sports club participantsâ (SPsâ) fruit and/or vegetable consumption.
Methods
The cross-sectional study included 554 SPs aged 14â16âyears, 275 club officials and 311 coaches. Participants replied to questionnaires about sports clubsâ health promotion and their own health behaviours, including dietary habits. Health promotion orientation was estimated using a Health Promoting Sports Club (HPSC) index (range 0â22) and nutritional discussions and fruit and/or vegetable consumption as frequencies. A mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the associations.
Results
Most sports clubs (69%) had a high health promotion orientation, but the variation between the clubs was wide (HPSC index range 5â21). SPsâ daily fruit and/or vegetable consumption was associated with female gender [odds ratio (OR) 3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.23â5.42, Pâ<â0.001], better self-rated health (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.13â9.41, Pâ=â0.03), higher average school grades (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04â2.67, Pâ=â0.03), and SPsâ responses that their coach had often discussed nutrition (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.41â3.14, Pâ<â0.001).
Conclusion
Although sports clubsâ orientation towards health promotion was mostly high, it seems not to be enough to promote healthy eating among adolescent participants. Instead, coachesâ nutritional discussions were associated with adolescentsâ fruit and/or vegetable consumption.peerReviewe
Perceived coachesâ health promotion activity, maintenance of participation in sports, and lifestyle habits among emerging adults: a four-year follow-up study
Objectives
This study focused on how adolescentsâ perceptions of coachesâ health promotion activity predict maintained participation and dropout in organized sports in emerging adulthood. In addition, differences in lifestyle habits between maintainers, dropouts, and nonparticipants in organized sports were explored.
Materials and Methods
Overall, 616 adolescents reported organized sports participation in the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) study at ages 15 and 19. Of these, 323 reported coachâs health promotion activity on health topics at the age of 15. An index of a coachâs general health promotion activity was formed. At age 19, all study participants reported their lifestyle habits.
Results
Among males, those who had perceived coachesâ general health promotion activity as frequent were more likely to be maintainers than dropouts (48.6% vs. 20.0%) (p = .002). Among females, there was no significant difference (32.0% vs. 28.4%). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender showed that perceiving coachâs general health promotion activity as frequent increased the odds of being a maintainer rather than a dropout. Moreover, maintainers had higher odds of having healthy lifestyle habits when compared to nonparticipants (related to physical activity; sleep; fruit and vegetable consumption; and cigarette use) or dropouts (related to physical activity; and cigarette use). In addition, dropouts had higher odds of having healthy lifestyle habits than nonparticipants (related to sleep; and cigarette use).
Conclusions
Perceiving coachesâ health promotion activity as frequent was related to maintained participation in organized sports among males. Maintainers were more likely to have more healthy lifestyle habits than nonparticipants and dropouts. There is a need to invest in coachesâ health promotion activity when it is infrequent. A more detailed understanding is needed of coachesâ health promotion activity that supports both maintained participation in sports, especially among females, and healthy lifestyle habits in emerging adulthood.peerReviewe
Sportsârelated factors predicting maintained participation and dropout in organized sports in emerging adulthood : A fourâyear followâup study
This study explored sports-related factors predicting organized sports participation in emerging adulthood. In the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) study, 354 sports club participants aged 15 at baseline reported their main sport, onset age, training volume, current competitive level, and future competitive orientation and participated in the follow-up study at age 19. There were differences in the proportions of maintainers and dropouts in a few sports: football (maintainers 58.6%), and among females, skating (maintainers 60.7%), and swimming (dropouts 80.0%). A binary logistic regression analysis showed that those who had started their main sport by school age (females OR 3.05/95% CI 1.34, 6.98; males OR 3.97/95% CI 1.48, 10.64) and had competed at national top level plus had aimed at success at the adult level competitions in future (females OR 3.42/95% CI 1.16, 10.09; males OR 3.58/95% CI 1.12, 11.41; among females, also had competed at national top level plus had aimed at success at junior level competitions [OR 3.42/95% CI 1.20, 9.78]) were more likely maintainers than dropouts. Early onset in the main sport and competitiveness were related to maintained sports participation while the opposites were related to dropouts in the current organized sports system.peerReviewe