Impact of retirement on physical activity in older adults: a longitudinal analysis from SHARE

Abstract Background With ageing populations experiencing longer post-retirement years, understanding the influence of major life transitions on health behaviours such as physical activity (PA) is crucial. This study assesses how retirement affects PA levels by analysing longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Methods This analysis utilised longitudinal data from 2004 to 2020, categorising PA according to WHO guidelines adapted to individual-level data from successive waves of SHARE. The study examined the relative risks (RR) of being physically active, using generalised estimating equation models to compare periods before and after retirement. Results The cohort consisted of 8,998 individuals aged 50 and older who were employed at baseline and retired during the study period. Initially, 83.6% of participants were categorised as physically active. A noticeable decline in PA was observed post-retirement, with RR decreasing from 1.08 (95%CI 1.07-1.10) more than 10 years before retirement to 0.90 (95%CI 0.88-0.93) more than 10 years after retirement, compared to the year of retirement. Previously inactive individuals often increased their PA levels, peaking 3 to 4 years post-retirement (RR increased from 0.79, 95%CI 0.70-0.88, to 1.49, 95%CI 1.36-1.63), suggesting a temporary boost in moderate-intensity PA during the so-called “honeymoon phase”. Conclusions Retirement can serve as a window of opportunity for enhancing leisure-time PA, particularly among those previously inactive. Sustained increases in PA are less common, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support continued engagement in PA among retirees. The variations in PA trends suggest that interventions should be tailored to individual characteristics such as age at retirement, previous job type, and educational background to maximise public health impact. This study underscores the challenges of ensuring long-term health benefits through PA. Key messages • Retirement significantly alters physical activity patterns, highlighting an opportunity for targeted health interventions. • Longitudinal data reveals critical periods post-retirement that could benefit from public health strategies to maintain or increase physical activity among older adults.