Abstract
The retirement transition is a major life change affecting people's lifestyles and behaviors, including those in relation to physical activity (PA), which is a key component of active ageing. Previous research analyzing the effect of retirement on PA levels has shown mixed results, and few studies investigated this issue in a gender perspective, thus, highlighting a need of knowledge in this respect. Aims of this study focused on the experience of PA during the retirement transition were to understand typologies of PA and possible changes in these typologies, to identify behavioural types relative to PA practice and levels, and to distinguish the main drivers and barriers for practicing PA associated with the different behavioural types. A further goal of the study was to investigate the abovementioned aims considering differences between women and men. Analyses were carried out within a three-year qualitative longitudinal study (2014-2016), which explored the individual experience of PA during the transition from work to retirement of 24 women and 16 men in Italy, with interviews carried out one year before and one and two years after retirement. Results show that preferred PA for both women and men was walking, along the transition to retirement. Over time, several participants replaced physically demanding activities with lighter ones. Six behavioural types were identified, describing individuals who incremented, started, or maintained the same level of PA, people who decreased PA levels or stopped it, and individuals who had a fluctuant behavior towards PA, or who had never practiced it. In general, poor health represented the main barrier to PA. For men, the main driver to PA was its effects on body shape, while for women, socialization/networking. In order to stimulate a more effective promotion of PA during the retirement transition, policy implications were discussed in light of the results obtained.
Highlights
Aims of this study focused on the experience of physical activity (PA) during the retirement transition were to understand typologies of PA and possible changes in these typologies, to identify behavioural types relative to PA practice and levels, and to distinguish the main drivers and barriers for practicing PA associated with the different behavioural types
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), active ageing is “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security to enhance quality of life as people age” ([1], 12), while healthy ageing is defined as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age” ([2], 28) The active ageing paradigm [3, 4], which is focused on health benefits and well-being as outcomes of activity [5], contributes to healthy ageing of older people through participation in a wide range of activities, among which physical activity (PA)
This paper adds to the literature especially by identifying specific behavioural types in relation to PA during the retirement transition and by associating to these type specific drivers and barriers to PA
Summary
Physical Activity as a Component of the Active Ageing Paradigm. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), active ageing is “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security to enhance quality of life as people age” ([1], 12), while healthy ageing is defined as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability (i.e. people’s capabilities of being and doing what they have reason to value) that enables well-being in older age” ([2], 28) The active ageing paradigm [3, 4], which is focused on health benefits and well-being as outcomes of activity [5], contributes to healthy ageing of older people through participation in a wide range of activities, among which physical activity (PA). There would be a relation between the amount of PA and health status, such that the most physically active people would be the least at risk, by practicing a healthy lifestyle [16, 17]
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