The Meaning of Sedentary Behavior as Experienced by People in the Transition From Working Life to Retirement: An Empirical Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Objective Sedentary behavior (SB) is defined as a mean of >6 hours of daytime sitting or lying down. SB has been shown to increase with older age and is a risk factor for disease. During the transition from working life to retirement, changes in daily life activities occur, risking increased SB. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of SB in relation to the transition from working life to retirement as experienced by persons in retirement. Methods The study was grounded in a phenomenological life-world perspective. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 64–75. Data were analyzed using the empirical phenomenological psychological method. Results The participants described that voluntary sedentary time was positively related to general health and well-being, while involuntary sedentary time was negatively related to health. Increased sedentary time was described as natural when aging. Retirement was expressed as a time for rest after hard work and the ability to choose a slower pace in life. Internal and external demands and daily routines interrupted SB, whereas loneliness was perceived to increase SB. Participants strived to find a balance between physical activity and sedentary time. The variations in the participants’ descriptions formed three typologies: in light of meaningful sedentary behavior, in the shadow of involuntary sedentary behavior, and a dual process – postponing sedentary behavior with physical activity. Conclusions Increased SB was perceived as natural when aging, but something that may be postponed by conscious choices. SB was perceived as associated with health, rest and recovery but also with the risk of deteriorating health. Impact This knowledge of the experienced meaning of SB could guide the design of health promotion interventions and may be helpful in targeting those in need of support and individualizing interventions to decrease SB in retirement. Lay Summary This study reveals how persons in retirement describe sedentary behavior as something healthy but also as unhealthy and that sedentary behavior is natural in aging and can be postponed by physical activity.

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study

“…This finding is concerning because PA in older age decreases the risk of several lifestyle-related diseases and comorbidity [ 51 ], while the number of sedentary hours is found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality [ 52 ]. The oldest age group had the lowest number of sedentary hours, which is surprising because sedentary time usually increases during retirement and old age [ 53 ] and is described as a natural aspect of aging [ 54 ]. Notably, the youngest age group in this study reported a high level of sedentary time during the pandemic and they experienced a greater decrease in their total PA levels compared with the adult group.…”

“It is Easy to do Nothing and Easy to Sit Down”: Perceptions of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors During Pre-retirement

“…Participants found options such as watching television easier to engage in. Participants within the study identified SB similarly to those in the Sweden (Eklund et al, 2021). SB was identified as unhealthy compared to PA and led to poor health.…”

“…In Italy a longitudinal study examined the experience of PA across retirement in a three year-long study (Socci et al, 2021). Using a phenomenological approach, another study looked into the meaning attached to SB during the retirement transition (Eklund et al, 2021). As older adults are a heterogenous group, these studies identified the need to further research the meaning people attach to PA and SB when going through the retirement transition.…”

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Retirement in Maltese Civil Servants: A Dialectical Mixed-Method Study

“…Two studies were identified that looked at the participants’ perceptions of retirement on SB [ 17 , 18 ]. Van Dyck et al [ 17 ] found that participants felt that retirement influenced their SB.…”

“…They experienced a decrease in sitting time during transport and engaged in active transportation. Eklund et al [ 18 ] identified two themes on how retirement influences SB: (1) the theme ‘in light of meaningful SB’, related to the meaning of sedentary activities, in which participants viewed SB as a possibility to perform activities that they were unable to when still in employment; (2) the theme ‘in the shadow of involuntary SB’, which was about the unhealthy aspect of SB and factors that contributed towards the development of such behaviour.…”