Liikuntasauman

Liikuntasauman is a concept used in Finnish public health, urban planning and sports studies to describe the network of opportunities, spaces and practices that connect people to physical activity in everyday life. The term combines liikunta (physical activity) and sauma (seam or joint) to evoke a seam that binds different settings into a continuous activity landscape.

In practice, liikuntasauma refers to how schools, workplaces, clubs, transportation, housing, parks and public spaces, as well as policies and social norms, intersect to enable or hinder participation in physical activity. The concept emphasizes interfaces and transitions between contexts—such as commuting routes that offer active travel options, after-work recreation, or school-based programs that link to community sports.

It also includes social equity aspects, recognizing that unequal access to safe spaces, time, or resources can fragment the seam for some groups. Researchers and planners use liikuntasauman approaches to map connectivity, identify bottlenecks, and design interventions that strengthen the network—for example by improving pedestrian infrastructure, coordinating school and community activities, or aligning worksite wellness with neighborhood facilities.

Limitations include variable definitions and the risk of overgeneralization without clear operationalization. When used rigorously, the concept can inform policies aimed at increasing population-level physical activity by enhancing the continuity and accessibility of opportunities across life and space.