biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)Karppanen AKUniversity of Oulu including Oulu University HospitalJuho Vainion SäätiöInsufficient 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. The 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, dependeBMC public health426https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9985204biostudies-literatureTemperament and longitudinal changes in physical activity - the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.PMC9985204Korpelainen RTammelin TKarppanen AKHurtig TMiettunen JNordstrom TfalseTemperament and longitudinal changes in physical activity - the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.Insufficient 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. The 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, depende2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2025-04-22T12:02:58.846Z2025-04-06T00:07:44.793ZS-EPMC99852043686929310.1186/s12889-023-15303-9