Paavo Komi, a pioneer in the study of biology of physical activity, has witnessed from close quarters how a complete research line can be created from nothing. That was also the way the University of Jyväskyläs Department of Biology of Physical Activity built its international contacts.
Nowadays people try to obtain research results too quickly. Solid basic research is what is needed, on top of which applied research can be built. Shortcuts are not part of the equation, emphasises Professor Paavo Komi, director of research at the Neuromuscular Research Center at the University of Jyväskyläs Department of Biology of Physical Activity.
It is worth listening to what Komi has to say on the subject of research in biology of physical activity, since he has been closely involved in developing research and education in this field at the University of Jyväskylä. His work at the university began more than 40 years ago. Over the years the Department of Biology of Physical Activity has concentrated on researching, among other things, how the neuromuscular system functions, how it can be trained and what are the mechanisms of muscle fatigue and damage associated with these.
In biology of physical activity there have been no points of comparison in Finland. Our work has always been subject to international evaluation, Komi points out.
Komi admits that long-term research work in biomechanics and exercise physiology has not always been easy. The lack of support from the scientific community propelled the Department of Biology of Physical Activity into relatively independent work, for which contacts were sought in international research circles.
The lack of support forced us to be creative. At the Department of Biology of Physical Activity our motto has been that we have to have enough troubles of our own in order not to contemplate someone elses, Komi says with a smile. Subsequently research carried out in Jyväskylä has not suffered from a lack of respect. That is demonstrated among other things by publishing activity held in high international regard as well as numerous international partners.
Research work on neuromuscular systems still continues even though Komi is slowly handing matters over to the younger generation. Komi gave up his head of department role a couple of years ago. He currently concentrates on research, speaking at congresses and supervising doctoral students. Komi is still a leading figure in the Neuromuscular Research Center, which was established at the beginning of the 1990s as a result of international evaluation.
Komi did his doctorate at the end of the 1960s in the United States at Pennsylvania State University. He has also worked as a visiting professor in the United States, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and France. In addition, Komi holds an honorary doctorate from the universities of Grenoble, Budapest, Waterloo in Canada, Brussels and Osaka.
Komi claims to be extremely happy that he was forced to obtain his doctorate in the United States. In consequence he was able to create an international network before there was even any talk about networks in Finland. Thats whats meant by academic freedom.
This groundbreaker in biology of physical activity research has always been of the opinion that research work and the activities of the university as a whole must be international. He considers it important that research results are not reported just in Finnish for Finns alone to read. Ive flown to the United States for research purposes no less than 87 times, says Komi, underlining the true nature of international cooperation.
For him it is also of value that he has been able to forge contacts in international circles which young researchers have been able to make use of and which remain at their disposal.
Ive said to my wife that life in this work has been rich and I dont mean from a financial point of view. I am fortunate to have research friends and acquaintances all over the world. 
By Tommi Salo Photos by Petteri Kivimäki