Health 2000 and Health 2011: Physical activity, fitness and health

Sub-studies of The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research

Background 

Regular measurement of both physical activity and fitness is important for 1) describing the levels of these in different populations, 2) in determining secular trends, 3) for evaluating effects of interventions and 4) for determining dose-response effects on specific health outcomes. 

The National Public Health Institute (now known as the National Institute for Health and Welfare) carried out the Health 2000 Study collecting data on the health, functional capacity and welfare of adult Finns as well as on related determining factors, service needs and use, and the differences in health and welfare between different population groups and the reasons for these. Health 2011 was partly a follow-up study of the Health 2000 and included also an independent cross-sectional study part.  

The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research conducted physical activity and fitness sub-studies for these studies.  

These studies made it possible to monitor physical activity, fitness, and health on the population level to be able to plan and target physical activity and health promotion actions appropriately.  

Aims 

The aim of the studies was to monitor and follow-up levels of physical activity and fitness among adult population. 

The purpose of the sub-studies of the UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research was to form population-based reference values for the UKK-Health-related fitness tests. In addition, based on the “physical activity, fitness and health“ -framework (Bouchard ja Shephard 1994) the purpose was to assess associations of physical activity with health-related fitness and musculoskeletal functioning. 

Methods

The original data of the first sub-study was collected in 2000-2001. Invitations were sent to approx. 1,100 people who took part in the Health 2000 survey and who did not have severe mobility limitations at study’s health examinations. Health-related fitness was measured using a diverse, standardized field test battery including tests of one-leg standing, standing on a narrow beam, backwards walking, side bending, shoulder-neck mobility, one-leg squat (lunge), modified push-up and, UKK 2 km walk test. Physical activity was assessed through a questionnaire. Additionally, some of the healthy voluntary 30 to 65-year-old women (100) and men (100) from Tampere, Nokia and Valkeakoski took part in a walking test on a treadmill to measure their VO₂max. 

The data collection of the second sub-study was conducted in 2011-2012. Health-related fitness was measured by one-leg stand, jump and reach, modified push-up or alternatively dynamic sit-up and, six minutes’ walk -tests. Physical activity was measured by the accelerometers worn on the hip during waking hours for seven consecutive days. This was the first population-based study in Finland that measured physical activity and sedentary behavior by the accelerometer. 

Contact 

Tommi Vasankari, Director 

tommi.vasankari(a)ukkinstituutti.fi 

Publications 

For publications (international and Finnish) of this research see the Finnish description. 
To find the list of publications (Julkaisuja),scroll& the page down. 

Frequent sit-to-stand transitions and several short standing periods measured by hip-worn accelerometer are associated with smaller waist circumference among adults

Aerobic physical activity assessed with accelerometer, diary, questionnaire and interview in a Finnish population sample

Subjects with cardiovascular disease or high disease risk are more sedentary and less active than their healthy peers.

Association of objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity with cardiovascular disease risk

Objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity in a sample of Finnish adults

Koskinen S, Lundqvist A, Ristiluoma N (eds.). Health, functional capacity, and welfare in Finalnd 2011. National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Report 68/2012, Helsinki 2012. 

Lundqvist A, Mäki-Opas T (eds.). Health 2011 Survey – Methods. National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Report 8/2016. Helsinki 2016. 

Methodology report: Health 2000 survey. Kansanterveyslaitoksen julkaisuja.

Aromaa A, Koskinen S (eds.). Health and functional capacity in Finland: Baseline results of the Health 2000 health examination survey. Kansanterveyslaitoksen julkaisuja B12/2004. Helsinki 2004.