Effects of physically active lifestyle on cognitive prerequisites of learning
during the lifespan ( PALCOLL)

Main funder

Funder's project number: OKM/71/626/2023

Funds granted by main funder (€)

Funding program

Project timetable

Project start date: 01/06/2023

Project end date: 30/06/2026

Summary

Being able to learn throughout the lifespan is necessary ability to adapt to the everchanging and uncertain world. Physically active lifestyle, acknowledged to be an important part of healthy functioning and well-being, has underestimated potential to enhance learning prerequisites. However, too little is known about its effects on cognitive learning prerequisites throughout the lifespan to utilize its whole potential. This study project aims to evaluate the effects, moderators, and mediators of physically active lifestyle on cognitive prerequisites of learning during the life-course. More specifically, we will determine how physically active lifestyle is associated with cognitive, academic, and labor market performance in different stages of life, how accumulation and changes of physical activity from childhood to middle-age affect changes in cognitive function in middle-age, what factors modify these effects and whether these possible improvements in cognition can be traced into labor market performance later in life. This study utilizes data from four large cohort populations 1) Cardiovascular Risk of Young Finns Study (n=3596, from age 3–18 years followed to age 41–58 years) linked with registers of Statistics Finland, 2) Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (n=1062, followed from age 7 months to 26 years), 3) Finnish Schools on the Move study linked with Active, Fit and Smart study (n=1095, age 12–15 years) and 4) Moving Maths cluster randomized controlled trial (n=397, age=9 years). The cognitive, academic, and labor market performance, physical activity and fitness is measured similarly in these datasets. The study is leaded by Principal researcher Tuija Tammelin from Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Likes, Jyväskylä, Finland and the core research team consisted of team from the Likes and collaborators that have a long tradition of working together. A broad national and international network of collaborators guarantees the optimal exchange of expertise, high-quality research, and dissemination of the results. The proposed study will crucially increase scientific understanding of the potential of physically active lifestyle to maintain, optimize and enhance cognitive prerequisites of learning during the life-course. This scientific knowledge is essential in practical and political decisions making to enhance physically active lifestyle and well-being at school, educational institutes, working life and services for the elderly.

Principal Investigator

Other persons related to this project (JYU)

Primary responsible unit

Follow-up groups

Profiling area: Behaviour change, health, and well-being across the lifespan (University of Jyväskylä JYU) BC-Well; Physical activity through life span (University of Jyväskylä JYU) PACTS; School of Wellbeing (University of Jyväskylä JYU) JYU.Well