AbstractObjectives To examine five-year trends in participation in sports and active recreation during the transition from midlife to early older age, and to assess how these trends varied by sex, age group, and education level. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Methods Data were drawn from the HABITAT study, a population-based cohort of mid aged and older adults living in Brisbane, Australia. Participants completed mail surveys in 2007, 2009, and 2011, reporting frequency of participation in each of 12 types of sports and active recreation. Weekly participation (≥ once per week) was summarised by gender. Generalised estimating equations with three-way interactions (year×age×sex and year×age×education) were used to examine participation trends. Results The analytical sample included 10,997 participants. Weekly participation in four or more activities declined from 8.8% to 3.8% between 2009 and 2011, while less than-weekly participation increased from 41.4% to 66.9%. The most common activities at age 40–44y were home-based exercises, weights, and running, all of which declined in participation over time. Women participated more frequently in yoga/tai chi and exercise classes, whereas men more often engaged in running, cycling, and golf. Significant interaction effects for tennis, running, and weights indicated differing trends by age, sex and education level. Conclusions These findings highlight demographic differences in participation patterns and may inform strategies to support sustained engagement in recreational physical activity across mid-to-later adulthood.
Besomi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.