Retirement and physical activity: The opportunity of a lifetime or the beginning of the end?

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

ISSN

10638652

Volume

28

Issue

3

First Page

365

Last Page

375

Publisher

Human Kinetics Publishers Inc

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

32430

Funders

Australian Research Council

Grant Number

ARC Number: DP140100365

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP140100365

Comments

Rai, R., Jongenelis, M. I., Jackson, B., Newton, R. U., & Pettigrew, S. (2020). Retirement and physical activity: The opportunity of a lifetime or the beginning of the end?. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 28(3), 365-375. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2019-0023

Abstract

© 2020 Human Kinetics, Inc. Retirement has been identified as a life transition that is important in determining older adults’ physical activity levels. The present study examined the factors associated with retirement that affect physical activity participation among older adults. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 425 retired Australians aged 60 years and older. Physical activity was assessed objectively, using accelerometers. Two categories of factors affecting physical activity participation following retirement were identified: the various physical and psychological changes in later life that can encourage or discourage physical activity and the adaptation processes undertaken by older people in response to these changes. The adoption of either a gain or loss approach to retirement and aging appeared to be the most influential adaptation factor affecting physical activity participation. The results suggest that intervention approaches should aim to foster more positive attitudes to aging and retirement and promote physical activity at all stages in life.

DOI

10.1123/japa.2019-0023

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