Sports-related factors predicting maintained participation and dropout in organized sports in emerging adulthood: A four-year follow-up study




Rinta-Antila Katja, Koski Pasi, Aira Tuula, Heinonen Olli J., Korpelainen Raija, Parkkari Jari, Savonen Kai, Toivo Kerttu, Uusitalo Arja, Valtonen Maarit, Vasankari Tommi, Villberg Jari J., Kokko Sami

PublisherWILEY

2023

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports

SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS

0905-7188

1600-0838

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14523

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sms.14523

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181866228



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.


Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:58