title: Patterns of leisure-time physical activity participation in a British birth cohort at early old age.
abstract: Using data from a nationally representative British birth cohort we characterized the type and diversity of leisure-time physical activity that 2,188 participants (age 60-64 years) engaged in throughout the year by gender and obesity. Participants most commonly reported walking (71%), swimming (33%), floor exercises (24%) and cycling (15%). Sixty-two percent of participants reported ≥ 2 activities in the past year and 40% reported diversity on a regular basis. Regular engagement in different types of activity (cardio-respiratory, balance/flexibility and strength) was reported by 67%, 19% and 11% of participants, respectively. We found gender differences, as well as differences by obesity status, in the activities reported, the levels of activity diversity and activity type. Non-obese participants had greater activity diversity, and more often reported activities beneficial for cardio-respiratory health and balance/flexibility than obese participants. These findings may be used to inform the development of trials of physical activity interventions targeting older adults, and those older adults with high body mass index.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Group, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland United States of America.
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland United States of America.
authors.forename: Tamara B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Soren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brage
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuh
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors