Lauri Laakso

Comparison of Two Types of Instruction in Badminton

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two forms of instruction, “traditional” and “traditional” plus strategy instruction (strategy‐oriented), on students’ knowledge, game understanding, skill and game performance. College students (n = 30) in a teacher‐training programme were divided into two treatment groups: strategy‐oriented (n= 11) and traditional (n = 10), and to a control group (n = 9). Both treatment groups received 20 lessons of “traditional” badminton instruction and played singles badminton for 8 lessons. In addition, the strategy‐oriented group received video‐based strategy instruction for 8 lessons. Pre‐ and posttests were administered for badminton knowledge, game understanding, skill and game performance. The strategy‐oriented group was able to improve its badminton knowledge, game understanding and serving skill significantly whereas the traditional group improved its badminton serving skill.

Adolescent physical fitness and activity as predictors of adulthood activity

Abstract A 25-year population-based study was conducted to determine how physical fitness and participation in leisure-time physical activity in adolescence (age 12–18 years) predict leisure-time physical activity in adulthood (age 37–43 years). In 1976, five field tests were conducted to measure muscular fitness, agility and aerobic capacity, and self-report weekly frequencies of activity were obtained by questionnaire. A modified questionnaire was repeated in 2001, when participants were age 37–43 years (N = 1525). On the basis of the questionnaire, a physical activity index was calculated both in 1976 and 2001. The odds ratios (OR) for being inactive in adulthood among those who were physically very active in adolescence compared with those who were inactive in adolescence was 0.13 for males (95%CI: 0.06–0.31) and 0.28 for females (95%CI: 0.13–0.59). The odds ratio for adult inactivity among males in the highest versus lowest fitness group in adolescence was 0.24 (95%CI: 0.07–0.81). Activity in adolescence predicted activity in adulthood in both males and females. The risk for adult inactivity was significantly lower for those who were physically active in adolescence. In addition, high fitness predicted adult activity among males but not among females.

Secular trends in aerobic fitness performance in 13–18-year-old adolescents from 1976 to 2001

Objective To analyse the secular trends in aerobic fitness performance and some of its determinants (body mass index (BMI) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA)) in adolescents. Design Cross-sectional population-based studies in 1976 and 2001 in Finland. A stratified random sample of Finnish 13–18-year-old adolescents was studied in 1976 (n = 717; 384 boys and 333 girls) and in 2001 (n = 558; 305 boys and 253 girls). The main outcome measure was aerobic fitness, estimated with a 2000 m (for boys) and 1500 m (for girls) running test; the weight and height of participants were also measured. Self-reported weekly frequency of LTPA of at least 30 min duration and regularity of participation in organised sport were obtained by questionnaire. Identical methods were used in 1976 and 2001. Results Running time was longer in 2001 compared to 1976 in boys (56 s, Cohen d = 0.46, medium effect size; p<0.001) and girls (29 s, d = 0.32, small; p<0.01). BMI and participation in LTPA explained more of the variance in aerobic fitness in 2001 than in 1976 in boys and girls. Conclusions Aerobic fitness of school-aged children deteriorated between the measurement points. BMI and organised LTPA were better associated with aerobic fitness in 2001 than in 1976. An increase in overweight and obesity was associated with the decrease in aerobic fitness. Although the importance of organised LTPA to fitness increased, it is possible that the decrease in overall physical activity between 1976 and 2001 contributed most to the decrease in the level of aerobic fitness.

Use of dietary supplements and anabolic-androgenic steroids among Finnish adolescents in 1991–2005

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence, trends and associated factors of dietary supplements (DS) and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) use among Finnish adolescents. METHODS The sample comprised 30 511 adolescents aged 12-18 years, of which 22 519 (74%) answered a questionnaire. We also studied associations between 14 socioeconomic, health and health behavioural variables and DS and AAS use by logistic regression. RESULTS The proportion of respondents using DS was 45% during the past year and it increased linearly by age. Vitamins (37%) and herbal products (13%) were the most common DSs. In 1991, 9% of the boys aged 16-18 years reported protein use, while the frequency in 2005 was 17% (P < 0.001). AAS use was uncommon; only 53 boys (0.5%) and 20 girls (0.2%) reported AAS use. The strongest factors associated with DS use in multivariate model were physical exercise outside sports clubs (OR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.6-2.2), and in sports clubs (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.5-1.9). Recurrent drunkenness (OR 5.8; 95% CI: 1.5-21.6) and peer drug use in boys (OR 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2-3.7) were the risk factors for AAS use, whereas physical exercise outside sports clubs (OR 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.5) was a protecting factor. CONCLUSIONS Although the overall use of DS remained at the same level during the study period, there was a slight trend towards increasing use of vitamin and protein supplements. DS use is associated with frequent sports participation and poorer than average health, while AAS use is associated with health-compromising behaviours.

Personal Reasons for Withdrawal from Team Sports and the Influence of Significant Others among Youth Athletes

The aim of this study was to identify the main reasons for withdrawal from team sports and to examine the influence of significant others (i.e., coaches, parents, peers, and siblings) in the decision making concerning withdrawal from youth sports. An attempt was also made to compare withdrawal components and the influence of significant others in terms of gender, level of competition and years of involvement in youth sports. The participants in this study were young football (American soccer) (n=397), ice hockey (n=88) and basketball (n=50) players who had terminated their participation in their sports. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the number of withdrawal items and identify principal withdrawal components. The results indicated that having other things to do and a decline in excitement were the most important reasons for withdrawal. Coaches and teammates appeared to be the two main groups of significant others who influenced young players decision making related to their withdrawal. Statistically significant differences in withdrawal components related to ability and social issues were found between gender and years of involvement. The present findings highlight the factors that are related to the incidence of withdrawal, and at the same time, underline the role of significant others within the contexts of sport participation. Recommendations and practical implications for coaches and policy makers to reduce the withdrawal rate among young athletes are provided.

Adolescents’ physical activity at recess and actions to promote a physically active school day in four Finnish schools

The national Finnish Schools on the Move programme support schools with their individual plans to promote school-based physical activity (PA). We examined the changes in adolescents’ recess and overall PA in four lower secondary schools and described the school actions to promote students’ PA and the local contact persons’ perceptions of the effects. Recess and overall PA were assessed four times by anonymous questionnaires from students in grades 7–9 (n = 789) in 2010–12, and local contact persons (n = 7) provided information on school actions with diaries, interviews and surveys. Student data were analysed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, and school actions data were analysed with quantitative content analysis. The proportion of students who participated in physical activities at recess at least sometimes increased from 30% to 49% in physically active play and from 33% to 42% in ball games, mostly due to improvements in males’ participation. Females’ participation in recess activities increased in two schools with gender-specific physical activities or facilities. Overall PA levels declined slightly. Organized recess activities, student recess activators and equipment provision and sports facilities development were considered to have affected students’ PA positively. Solutions for getting females more physically active in the school setting are needed.

Secular trends in muscular fitness among Finnish adolescents

Aim: To investigate secular change over time in health-related muscular fitness and how leisure time physical activity (LTPA), sport club participation, and body mass index are associated with muscular fitness in adolescents. Methods: Two cross-sectional samples of Finnish 13—16-year-old adolescents were studied in 1976 (n = 643; 312 boys and 331 girls) and in 2001 (n = 579; 308 boys and 271 girls). Muscular fitness index was calculated as the sum of age- and sex-specific z-scores of four tests measuring muscular fitness and agility. Height and weight were also measured. Self-reported weekly frequency of LTPA of at least 30-min duration and regularity of participation in organised sport were obtained by questionnaire. Identical methods were used in 1976 and 2001. Results: Muscular fitness index was higher in 2001 than in 1976 in both boys (by 0.77 points, p = 0.008, effect size d = 0.17, small difference) and girls (1.01 points, p = 0.004, d = 0.20, small difference). Sport club participation, body mass index, and participation in LTPA together explained more of the muscular fitness index variance in 2001 than in 1976 in both boys (coefficient of determination from 0.10 to 0.24) and girls (from 0.25 to 0.40). Conclusions: The muscular fitness of 13—16-year old adolescents slightly improved over time. Organised LTPA showed a stronger association with muscular fitness in 2001 than in 1976. Due to increased polarisation in fitness, in health promotion more attention should be paid on adolescents’ health-related fitness and its association to LTPA.

Expert‐Novice Differences in Game Performance and Game Understanding of Youth Badminton Players

The purpose of this investigation was to examine differences in skill, game performance and game understanding in expert (n=12) and novice (n=14) youth badminton players (13‐14 years). Each subject participated in skill tests (serve, clear and drop) and a game understanding test which consisted of 15 different video simulations of actual offensive and defensive game situations. In every sequence, players were to solve tactical problems by selecting appropriate solutions and arguments for their decisions. In addition they played 2 x 10‐min singles badminton. AH matches were video recorded and post match analysed. Results clearly showed that skill, game play and cognitive components all differentiated experts from novices. Experts exhibited significantly more sport skill, played more effective shots and understood the game situations better when compared to novices. Based on the findings it could be suggested that all these qualities must be taken into account when teaching/coaching games in order to increase competence, interest and enjoyment in games playing.

Questionnaire-assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity of the Finnish youth in 1979–2005

The purpose of the study was to investigate the time trend of questionnaire‐assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among 12–18‐year‐old Finnish boys and girls from 1979 to 2005. The MVPA was defined as “at least moderately breathtaking and sweating in leisure time physical activities more than 3 times week.” Data were based on the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey, which is a biannual, nation‐wide survey on adolescent health and health‐related lifestyle in Finland. The nationally representative samples were drawn from the Finnish Population Register Centre. The numbers of participants varied from 2832 to 8390 and the response rates from 91% (girls, 1981) to 58% (boys, 2005). The main results showed that the participation rate in MVPA increased during the study period. The increase was not continuous, but showed an upward trend during the years 2001–2005. The study also revealed that boys participated in MVPA more than girls. However, the gender difference decreased during the study period. Age differences in MVPA were rather small and they decreased during the study period. However, perceived intensity of physical activity was higher among older than younger groups, whereas participation in MVPA was more frequent in younger than older groups. The results supported the findings of some previous studies that reported that especially in Finland the vigorous physical activity among young people had consistently increased. This study gave more information about this phenomenon because the study period was longer, 26 years, and the sample also included older, 16‐ and 18‐year‐old boys and girls.

Physical education teachers in motion: an account of attrition and area transfer

Background: Teacher turnover has been identified as a major problem that represents instability in teaching. Teacher turnover can be divided into three components: attrition means that the teacher is leaving the profession; area transfer means that the teacher is changing his/her subject area and migration means that the teacher is moving from one school to another. The single most important concern is teacher attrition. Attrition is particularly high among teachers in their first five years of service. Although extensive research has been carried out on teacher attrition, no single study exists which comprehensively analyses the attrition of physical education (PE) teachers. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the attrition and area transfer rates of PE teachers in Finland. This paper also focuses on the reasons behind why PE teachers are leaving the profession. Key findings: A total of 230 (23%) of 994 PE teachers who graduated between the years 1980 and 2006 moved out of PE teaching. Of the 23%, the attrition rate was 13% and the area transfer rate was 10%. The reasons for leaving the profession could be divided into six different categories: pupils, administration, working conditions, colleagues, respect and rewards and workload. Those who moved outside of schools (i.e. leavers) were mainly younger teachers, while those who changed from PE to another subject area (i.e. movers) were mainly older teachers. It was also found that men left earlier than women and leavers earlier than movers.