Approximately two thirds of Finnish people over the age of 18 do not exercise enough. In terms of overall activity, however, about 40% of the population exercises less than the recommended amount. Young adults are more likely to exercise than older people, and only about one in ten of those over the age of 80 achieved the recommended level of physical activity.
Regular, moderate or vigorous physical activity improves the condition of the respiratory and circulatory systems and increases their functionality and efficiency. An increased level and intensity of physical activity often leads to an improvement in physical condition. Good physical condition also promotes health and is linked to reduced total mortality and a lower rate of mortality related to cardiovascular diseases as well as a reduced risk of developing a wide range of long-term diseases, for example.
In order to achieve the health benefits of physical activity, adults aged 18–65 should exercise for at least 150 minutes at a moderate level every week or, alternatively, complete at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity as well as activities that maintain muscle strength and movement control at least twice a week.
The physical activity recommendations for people over the age of 65 are in line with those for younger adults, but in addition to muscle-strengthening exercise, older people should also practise balance and flexibility in order to prevent falls.
However, the FinHealth 2017 study showed that Finns, both adults and young people, are more involved in physical activity in their free time. If this trend continues, Finland may achieve the target set by the World Health Organization, which aims to reduce the proportion of those Finns who get an insufficient amount of exercise by 10% by 2025.
The challenge is to reach those sections of the population who are the least physically active, such as the older age cohorts and people with lower levels of education. Although the trend looks promising, it is important to ensure that it continues to move in a positive direction. In a global context, Finnish people are a physically active and sporty nation, but from the point of view of public health, efforts must be made to increase the proportion of the population who are physically active so that it exceeds the minimum target set by the WHO.
It’s important to invest in encouraging physical activity among children and young people and in projects aimed at maintaining the functional capacity of older people.
Sources:
Wennman H, Borodulin K, Jousilahti P. Vapaa-ajan liikunta ja fyysinen aktiivisuus lisääntyvät Suomessa WHO:n tavoitteen mukaisesti.
The permanent address of the publication is https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978–952-343–381‑6
Physical activity for health – step by step Weekly Physical Activity Recommendation for 18–64-year-olds UKK Institute, 2019. https://ukkinstituutti.fi/en/products-services/physical-activity-recommendations/weekly-physical-activity-recommendation-for-18–64-year-olds/
