Links between physical activity and health

We produce research to address the changing challenges of health, fitness, and well-being across age groups. Developing new methods to assess physical activity, functional capacity and inclusion and well-being for people of different ages and life situations.

Health technology research is developing new technological methods to assess the load on tissues and organ systems during different forms of activity.   

Observational epidemiological research focuses on different population-based samples. Observational studies provide information on the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of different phenomena. Key research topics include age-related changes, individual differences (e.g. personality, genes), the links between physical activity, health and well-being, social, psychological and physical factors affecting health and well-being and their interaction. 

Randomised controlled trials are used to test the effects of different interventions on risk factors, behaviour change and different dimensions of health. 

Seiväshyppääjän valmennus
Tutkimusta laboratoriossa

Research on genetic and molecular mechanisms will deepen our understanding of the biological mechanisms through which exercise affects muscles, the nervous system and brain, tendons, skeleton, heart and blood vessels, and adipose tissue. 

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of epidemiological and intervention studies in sport, exercise and health sciences provide a comprehensive synthesis of the health effects of physical activity. 

Research groups

Research group

The interaction between genetics and lifestyle in promoting health and preventing diseases – Elina Sillanpää's research group

We investigate genetic and lifestyle factors that predict biological aging, health, and functional capacity.
Research group

Hulmi Lab - Muscle and Exercise Metabolism (MEM)

We study metabolism at the whole body, muscle and cellular levels using a variety of in vivo and in vitro research models. We make use of the latest research methods in physiology and life sciences, such as multi-omics and labelling experiments.
Research group

Biogerontology and Translational Health Research – Eija Laakkonen's research group

menopause, estrogen,non-coding RNA-molecules, biomarkers, Lynch syndrome, cancer research
Research group

Taija Finni's research group

Taija's focus is on Achilles tendon, Neuromuscular function and physical activity.

Research projects

Project

Estrogen, menopause and physical performance (ERMA) -study

The ERMA-study examines the molecular biological, physiological and psychological changes associated with menopause, as well as the importance of lifestyles from the perspective of menopause changes.
Project

Estrogen, microRNAs and the risk of metabolic dysfunction (EsmiRs) -study

The EsmiRs-study investigates the biological mechanisms behind menopause-related adverse health changes.
Project

Exercise, Extracellular Vesicles and Senescence (EEVaS) - Molecular mechanisms promoting healthspan

Exercise, Extracellular Vesicles and Senescence (EEVaS) study aims to establish the key signaling molecules mediating the senolytic effects of exercise.
Project

Genetic and Environmental Exploration of Heterogeneity and Causality in Obesity-Physical Activity Associations (GENESIS)

The GENESIS – project investigates the complex interplay of environment, genes and lifestyle on obesity and obesity-related adverse health outcomes. By applying multiomic methods on epidemiological data, it sets the focus of a population-wide phenomenon t
Project

Lynch syndrome, Lifestyle habits and Biomarkers -study

The research project investigates the links between lifestyle and various biomolecules measured in the bloodstream with cancer risk.
Project

Menopause-Associated differences in Transporter Complex HDL’s composition and function (MATCH) -study

MATCH investigates the potential menopause-associated changes in the composition and function of high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL).
Project

MeRWi (Metabolic ReWiring of muscle cell glucose metabolism)

We investigate whether muscle cells behave in a cancer cell-like manner, producing vital compounds in the glycolytic pathways and what role this phenomenon plays in muscle size regulation and secretion of small molecule metabolites.
Project

Polygenic Risk Scores, Physical Activity and Causality in Cardiometabolic Diseases (GenActive)

The GenActive study investigates causal relationships between genetic predisposition, physical activity, and cardiometabolic diseases.
Project

Resetting the Aging Clock with Exercise (AGE-X)

This project investigates associations of biological aging and lifestyles, especially physical activity, utilizing genetically controlled twin designs.
Project

The role of nutrition in the prevention of common diseases

This study examines the association between nutrition habits during adolescence and adulthood with biological aging and the incidence of common diseases.
Project

TraDeRe (Resistance TRAining, DEtraining, and REtraining)

The TraDeRe2 project investigates intra- and inter-individual variation in resistance training responses. The aim is to identify the determinants of individual variation in resistance training, detraining and retraining.
Project

Transdermal estradiol and exercise in mitigating adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer radiation therapy (ESTRACISE): Randomized controlled trial

ESTRACISE is a phase IIa open-label randomized controlled trial. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of transdermal estradiol with or without resistance training to mitigate the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy.