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Changes in physical activity during transition to retirement: a cohort study
Sari Stenholm1,2,3, Anna Pulakka4, Ichiro Kawachi5
1Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. sari.stenholm@utu.fi.
Retirement initially boosts physical activity (PA) levels, but this increase is temporary. Maintaining higher PA after retirement requires further investigation and strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Retirement represents a significant life change impacting daily routines and lifestyle.
- Understanding shifts in physical activity is crucial for well-being during this transition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze within-individual changes in physical activity.
- To examine physical activity patterns from full-time employment into retirement.
Main Methods:
- Study included 9,488 Finnish public-sector employees retiring between 2000-2011.
- Self-reported physical activity (leisure-time and commuting) measured in weekly metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours.
- Generalized estimating equations analyzed physical activity trajectories before and after retirement.
Main Results:
- Physical activity increased by 1.81 MET-hours during the initial 4-year retirement transition.
- Activity then decreased by -1.80 MET-hours in the subsequent post-retirement period.
- Higher retirement age, occupational status, and fewer chronic diseases correlated with greater initial PA increase.
Conclusions:
- Statutory retirement is linked to a transient rise in physical activity.
- Strategies are needed to sustain elevated activity levels post-retirement.
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