Physical activity, wellbeing and behaviour change across the life-span

The study of physical activity, from insufficient physical activity to elite sport, is a core competence of the faculty's research.

We develop and validate methods to measure physical activity. We study changes in physical activity over the life course and the relationship between changes in activity and well-being and health, morbidity and mortality. 

We provide the evidence base for recommendations on physical activity and participate in national and international population surveys and research consortia. 

We develop and research individual, group and organisational-based interventions to change physical activity behaviour, their implementation and translation into sustainable practices and cultures. 

BC-Well profiling area

Physical activity, well-being, and behaviour change across the life-span (BC-Well) is one of the areas in which JYU wishes to strengthen its research profile. BC-Well, a cross-disciplinary profiling area, investigates factors related to behavioural changes and develops change interventions to promote health and well-being.

The aim of the BC-Well profiling area is to proactively capitalize on JYU’s existing strengths in the social and behavioral sciences, including sport, exercise, and health sciences, psychology, education, and cognitive neuroscience. The goal is to build on the growing high-quality research and current expertise in behavior change. 

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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

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

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

von Bonsdorff: Healthy and Active Ageing

Ageing research; Healthy ageing; Active ageing; Epidemiology; Public health; Functioning; Frailty; Physical activity; Senior housing; Social gerontology; Multidisciplinary research
Research group

HBSC Finland

HBSC Finland
Research group

Taija Finni's research group

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

Research projects

Project

ACHILLES - New methods to study Achilles tendon structure and loading

ACHILLES develops new tools study the 3D tendon structure and to guide training and rehabilitation
Project

BRAIN-BALANCE (postural control in the aging brain: effects of balance training)

Tracking possible changes in sensorimotor function during aging and the impact of physical training.
Project

Enforced reduction in physical activity and recovery in older adults (the ENDURE study)

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect >70 year-olds, quarantine strategies were adopted in Finland and elsewhere. This has increased the need to understand and minimize the adverse effects of reduced physical activity in older adults.
Project

Female sex hormone and menopause effects on cortico-reticular functioning. (MENSA)

Estradiol and progesterone are known to interact with neurotransmitter receptors. But it is unknown if changes to hormone levels affects cortico-reticular functioning and if this, in turn, affects motor function.
Project

Mapping function of hand proprioception in the human motor cortex (ProMap)

The brain | Proprioception | Functional anatomy | Somatosensory | Neuroimaging | (f)MRI | TMS | EEG | EMG
Project

Physical activity and exercise for young people with cerebral palsy: understanding mechanisms and providing evidence of efficacy (EXECP)

The EXECP study investigates the effects of exercise on physical functioning and the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and young adults with CP.