Physical activity assessment for health

The research group develops methods for measuring physical activity that can be widely used in both research and practice. Using wearable technologies and advanced analytical methods, the group quantifies health-related aspects of daily physical activity. Research focuses on different dimensions of activity, including volume, intensity, duration, frequency, and type, and examines their associations with health in different population groups. Particular areas of interest include active ageing, physical functioning, and the long-term health benefits of physically active lifestyles. The group develops novel approaches for the objective assessment of physical activity and contributes to a better understanding of how everyday activity supports health and wellbeing across the life course.

Funding
Research Council of Finland (2021-2026)
Ministry of Education and Culture (2024-2025)
Juho Vainio Foundation (2023-2025)
Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation (2020)
Emil Aaltonen Foundation (2024)
Ellen and Artturi Nyyssönen Foundation (2026)
Finnish Cultural Foundation (2026)

Research group
Principal Investigator
Laura Karavirta, Associate Professor, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

Johanna Ahola, Postdoctoral Researcher
Matti Hyvärinen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Kirsi Keskinen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Eeva Kettunen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Kaisa Koivunen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Katja Lindeman, Postdoctoral Researcher
Antti Löppönen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Mansour Taleshi, Postdoctoral Researcher
Joona Neuvonen, Doctoral Researcher
Heli Peltomaa, Doctoral Researcher
Jenny Ray, Doctoral Researcher
Iina Tulomäki, Doctoral Researcher
Henri Uotila, Doctoral Researcher
Topi Teitto, Research Assistant

Collaborators
Centre for Active and Healthy Ageing, University of Southern Denmark
Rehabilitation Research Center, Universiteit Hasselt
Physical Activity Epidemiology group, University of Cambridge
Finnish Network for Technological Assessment of Physical Behaviour (FINETAP)
City of Jyväskylä

Research line website