Physical activity

Physical activity has positive health effects. Physical activity improves cardio-respiratory fitness and blood sugar balance, lowers effectively blood pressure, improves the plasma lipid profile and affects positively the psychosocial well-being. 

It is recommended to have leisure time physical activity at least two and half hours in a week.

  • Leisure time physical activity has increased in both areas.
  • The amount of people having leisure time physical activity at least 4 hours in a week is higher in North Karelia compared to Pitkäranta.
  • There is no gender difference in physical activity in North Karelia, but in Pitkäranta men are more often physically active than women.

Moderate leisure time physical activity in Finland, 1972–2002.

Figure 1. Moderate leisure time physical activity in Finland, 1972–2002. (At least 4 hours physical activity per week)

Moderate leisure time physical activity in Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, 1992–2007

Figure 2. Moderate leisure time physical activity in Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, 1992–2007. (At least 4 hours physical activity per week)

More information about physical activity in Pitkäranta, Russia and Finland can be found in series of pictures
Physical activity (PDF 345 KB).