title: The continuity of physical activity--a retrospective and prospective study among older people.
abstract: This study investigated the continuity of life-span physical activity by examining the predictors of the maintenance of a high level of physical activity over 8 years among subjects aged 65-84 years at the baseline, in 1988, in Jyväskylä, Finland. Age, education, marital status and chronic conditions and past physical activity were studied at the baseline. In men and women, self-reported competitive sport participation from as early as 10-19 years of age was a significant predictor for maintaining activity in old age. Also women's participation in recreational sports at the age of 40-64 years predicted activity. We concluded that past physical activity is strongly connected to maintaining a high level of physical activity in old age regardless of chronic conditions that may develop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, The Finnish Centre for Interdisciplinary Gerontology, University of Jyväskylä.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirvensalo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lintunen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rantanen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013177:Sports