The relationship between childhood and adolescent physical activity experiences with adult physical activity level

The general purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between academicians? childhood and adolescent physical activity experiences with their current physical activity levels and compare them with some variables. The population of this survey type research was 15 457 academicians working in universities in central Ankara in 2005-2006, sampling consisted of randomly selected 752 academicians from the population. In this research Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure physical activity levels of academicians for the last three months, and to determine the participation and enjoyment about participation in physical activity experiences in childhood and adolescence. Childhood and Adolescence Physical Activity Patterns Questionnaire were used as data collection tools. According to the relaibility analyses of the pilot study, Cronbach alpha of items was calculated as =.95. The research group?s participation levels in physical education classes and informal activities were generally high except for university years. Participation in organized sports and sport specific lessons were low in all educational levels. It was seen that research group enjoyed mostly participating in informal activities during their childhood and adolesence. Academicians participated all types of physical activities in high level during elementary and secondary school years, and middle level during high school and university years. Enjoyment levels however, were middle level during elementary, secondary and high school years and low in university period. 35,9% of academicians were found sedentary, 33,6% low level active, 16,5% middle level active and 14,0% high level active. Total participation scores during university years and total enjoyment scores of physical activities during both high school and university years are predictors of adult physical activity level.