Keski-Suomen hoivasäätiö donates €30,000 to research on active ageing
Ageing is studied at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences from a multidisciplinary perspective. Key research themes include physical activity and outdoor mobility, as well as opportunities for participation. The research examines how individual and contextual factors influence the functional capacity of older adults.
“Longevity has added more active years to people’s lives. Over the past approximately 30 years, the risk of death during the following year has been halved in every age group up to about 85 years of age,” says Professor Taina Rantanen from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä.
“Our understanding of old age has not fully kept pace with this change. Our research focuses on older adults’ self-directed, well-being-enhancing activity and participation,” Rantanen adds.
Long-term support for research
“The University of Jyväskylä produces important new knowledge on functional capacity in old age. We want to support practical and impactful research in a long-term manner, and therefore we have now made two consecutive donations to the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, totalling €90,000,” says Ahti Ruoppila, Chair of the board of Keski-Suomen hoivasäätiö.
“It is wonderful that Keski-Suomen hoivasäätiö provides long-term support for research activities and thereby sets a positive example for other university stakeholders as well,” says Vesa Linnamo, Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences.
“The topic is societally important, and the faculty has strong, internationally recognised expertise in this area,” Linnamo continues.
The Active Life research programme is one of the University of Jyväskylä’s key fundraising priorities. The programme is divided into research areas focusing on children’s physical activity and active ageing. Donations of at least €850 to science are tax-deductible in income taxation up to €500,000 for private individuals and estates, and up to €250,000 for companies.
