title: Does retirement mean more physical activity? A longitudinal study.
abstract: Evidence on physical activity (PA) and transitions out of full-time employment in middle-to-older age is mainly cross-sectional and focused upon retirement. The purpose was to examine trajectories in PA before and after transitions out of full-time employment.
  
  
  
  Data were obtained for 5,754 people in full-time employment aged 50-75 from the US Health and Retirement Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine trajectories in twice-weekly participation in light, moderate and vigorous PA among those transitioning to part-time work, semi-retirement, full retirement, or economic inactivity due to disability, in comparison to those remaining in full-time employment.
  
  
  
  Twice weekly participation in vigorous and light physical activity changed little for those who remained in full-time employment, while moderate physical activity decreased between baseline and follow-up (OR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.91, 0.99). Differences in physical activity according to transitional categories at follow-up were evident. Baseline differences in physical activity across all intensities were greatest among participants transitioning from full-time to part-time employment compared to those who remained in full-time employment throughout the study period (vigorous OR 1.41 95 % CI 1.23, 1.61; moderate OR 1.28 95 % CI 1.12, 1.46; light OR 1.29 95 % CI 1.12, 1.49). Those transitioning to unemployment were already among the least physically active at baseline, irrespective of intensity (albeit, with 95 % CIs spanning unity). Those transitioning to full-time retirement were also among the least active (e.g. vigorous OR 0.71 95 % CI 0.61, 0.81; moderate OR 0.80 95 % CI 0.71, 0.90). Declines in physical activity were reported for those transitioning to economic inactivity due to a disability (vigorous OR 0.29 95 % CI 0.14, 0.64; moderate OR 0.56 95 % CI 0.33, 0.95; light OR 0.34 95 % CI 0.19, 0.63). Physical activity increased regardless of intensity among participants transitioning to semi-retirement (p > 0.05) and full retirement (e.g. vigorous OR 1.28 95 % CI 1.09, 1.51; moderate OR 1.24 95 % CI 1.07, 1.43). Light physical activity increased for those transitioning to unemployment (OR 1.40 95 % CI 1.02, 1.93), though less change was evident in moderate or vigorous physical activity.
  
  
  
  The amount and intensity of PA varies by the type of transition out of full-time employment among people in middle-to-older age.
authors.affiliation: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.|School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.|Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia. xfeng@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: St Joseph's College of Maine, Standish, 04084, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Croteau
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kolt
authors.affiliation: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.|School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia.|Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Astell-Burt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012179:Retirement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States
keywords: Aging; Physical activity; Retirement