Do major life events influence physical activity among older adults: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

• Published in: The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity 2012-12, Vol.9 (1), p.147-147, Article 147
• Main Authors: Koeneman, Margot A, Chinapaw, Mai J M, Verheijden, Marieke W, van Tilburg, Theo G, Visser, Marjolein, Deeg, Dorly J H, Hopman-Rock, Marijke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Aged; Aging; Analysis; Exercise; Exercise for the aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gerontology; Health aspects; Humans; Life Style; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Multivariate Analysis; Netherlands; Nutrition; Older people; Participation; Physical fitness; Prospective Studies; Retirees; Retirement; Socioeconomic Factors; Sports (participation); Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Widowhood; Women
• ISSN: 1479-5868; 1479-5868
• DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-147

Major life events are associated with a change in daily routine and could thus also affect habitual levels of physical activity. Major life events remain largely unexplored as determinants of older adults' participation in physical activity and sports. This study focused on two major life events, widowhood and retirement, and asked whether these major life events were associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sports participation. Data from the first (1992-93) and second (1995-96) wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a prospective cohort study among Dutch adults aged 55 and older, were used. Change in marital status and employment status between baseline and follow-up was assessed by self-report. Time spent in MVPA (min/d) and sports participation (yes/no) was calculated based on the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire. The association of retirement and widowhood with MVPA and sports participation was assessed in separate multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses, respectively. Widowhood - N=136 versus 1324 stable married- was not associated with MVPA (B= 3.5 [95%CI:-57.9;64.9]) or sports participation (OR= 0.8 [95%CI:0.5;1.3]). Retired participants (N= 65) significantly increased their time spent in MVPA (B= 32.5 [95%CI:17.8;47.1]) compared to participants who continued to be employed (N= 121), but not their sports participation. Age was a significant effect modifier (B= 7.5 [90%CI:-1.1;13.8]), indicating a greater increase in MVPA in older retirees. Our results suggest that the associations found varied by the two major life events under investigation. MVPA increased after retirement, but no association with widowhood was seen.