Sport and fitness science

Discretionary government grants for sport and fitness science research projects supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture are awarded from the Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity (ACTIVE) of the Research Council of Finland. The themes are determined based on the Ministry's strategy document for research in sport and fitness science. As of 2025, the Ministry of Education and Culture will fund research projects in sport sciences in the following thematic areas: 

• Physically active lifestyle and physical fitness as well as the effects and impact mechanisms of exercise and physical activity. 
• Equitable access to sports, physical activity and exercise, inclusion, sense of community, accountability and ecological sustainability. 
• Effectiveness and ethics in competitive and elite sports.

As part of the practices of knowledge-based management in sport policy, the Ministry also provides assistance for analysis, assessment and research projects that serve decision-making in sport policy. Furthermore, the Ministry supports the activities of organisations in the field of sport and fitness science.

Sport and fitness science organisations and research institutes:

The Ministry regularly engages in development discussions with sport and fitness science organisations, sport medicine organisations and the Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport (KIHU). Research into sport and fitness science is conducted at universities, universities of applied sciences and numerous research institutes.

The Research Centre for Physical Activity and Health (LIKES) disseminates information for promoting physical activity among children, youths and adults. Special focus is placed on sedentary people.

UKK Institute is a research institute that operates in the administrative branch of health and social services. Its task is to conduct research and provide education and information on the promotion of a healthy way of life, with specific focus on physical activity.

Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport KIHU focuses on the multidisciplinary research of competitive and performance sports and the provision of related services.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) promotes the health and wellbeing of the Finnish population, aims to prevent diseases and curb social problems, and helps develop health and social services.

The Finnish Society of Sport Sciences (LTS) produces and disseminates information on sport and fitness science and serves as a channel for discussion for different actors.