Tracking of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness from childhood to adulthood

Abstract

Physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness have been associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. In recent years, accompanying the emerging epidemic of childhood obesity, chronic metabolic diseases have started to appear already in childhood. Therefore, preventive efforts, including strategies for increasing physical activity levels, have shifted from adulthood and old age to childhood and adolescence. This strategy assumes certain stability of physical activity during life course, i.e. that physical activity will become a regular component of daily activities in most individuals. Therefore, this review considers evidence for tracking of different aspects of physical activity and several indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness during childhood and adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood.