Temperament and longitudinal changes in physical activity – the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundInsufficient physical activity is risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. This population-based birth cohort study investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-reported temperament at age 31 and self-reported leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels and changes thereof from the age of 31 to the age of 46 years.MethodsThe study population comprised 3,084 subjects (1,359 male and 1,725 female) from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. MVPA was self-reported at ages 31 and 46 years. Novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence and their subscales were measured using Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory at age 31. Four temperament clusters were used in the analyses:persistent,overactive,dependent, andpassive. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between temperament and MVPA.ResultsThepersistentandoveractivetemperament profiles at age 31 were positively associated with higher MVPA levels both in young adulthood and in midlife, while thepassiveanddependenttemperament profiles were associated with lower MVPA levels. Theoveractivetemperament profile was associated with a decrease in MVPA levels from young adulthood to midlife among males.ConclusionApassivetemperament profile characterized by high harm avoidance is associated with a higher risk of low MVPA level than other temperament profiles over the life cycle in females. The results suggest that temperament may play a role in determining the level and sustainability of MVPA. Individual targeting and intervention tailoring for promoting physical activity should consider temperament traits.