Individual socioeconomic and neighborhood factors predict changes in sports activity during the transition to retirement

Background There are substantial socioeconomic status (SES) differences in sports activity (SA) during the transition to retirement. In line with social-ecological models, the aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the association of perceptions of social and physical neighborhood factors with changes in SA across the retirement transition and to examine potential interactions with SES factors. Methods Data from 6 waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) provided 710 participants (at baseline: mean age 61.1, 52.9% of men) who retired between baseline (1996, 2002, 2008, 2011) and their 6-year follow-up assessment. Associations between changes in SA (increases and decreases compared to retaining) and individual SES and neighborhood factors were estimated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results Increases were observed in 18.45% of participants, decreases in 10%. Occupational prestige was a risk factor for decreases, education a resource for increases in SA. Interactions between household income and several neighborhood factors were observed. Conclusions In line with social-ecological models, individual, neighborhood factors and interacting associations were found. In particular safety perceptions could be a resource for promotion SA in older adults who experience disadvantage.

Automated summary

During the transition to retirement, there are substantial socioeconomic status differences in sports activity, with occupational prestige being a risk factor for decreases and education a resource for increases. Interactions between household income and neighborhood factors were observed, suggesting that perceptions of safety in the neighborhood could be a resource for promoting sports activity in older adults experiencing disadvantage.