It Has To Be My Way-Reducing Sedentary Time in the Transition to Retirement

Sedentary behavior is highly prevalent in older adults transitioning to retirement. Sedentary time is all of the time spent in sedentary behavior, and prolonged sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions among older adults transitioning from working life to retirement regarding self-management strategies for reducing sedentary time and adhering to the reduced sedentary time.

Twenty-eight older adults, age 60-75 years, participated in one of four focus group interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

The analysis resulted in the theme "It has to be my way," and the three categories "Activities scattered with joyfulness," "Support for changes in everyday life," and "Health affects willingness and ability, and is affected by adherence."

Interpreted from the perspective of self-determination theory, self-management strategies for reducing sedentary time should be adaptable as every individual is unique, indicating a need for autonomy. Sedentary time was said to be reduced by activities that evoked joyfulness, and joyfulness was considered to increase adherence. Support for changes to one's everyday life was considered necessary. The support that was mentioned primarily involved targeting cognitive determinants such as self-efficacy and attitudes. This new knowledge can be included when designing self-management interventions; however, more research is needed in order to evaluate whether self-management strategies targeting autonomous motivation and affective determinants, such as affective judgment and cognitive determinants, can reduce sedentary time in those who are in the transition to retirement.