Physically active leisure and the transition to retirement: the value of context

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to explore the everyday experiences of physically active leisure during the transition to retirement. Twenty-five adults aged 47–66 who were recently retired or nearing retirement blogged during three different two-week sessions over one year and participated in follow up focus groups. Data were analysed using initial, focused, and selective coding. Findings provided insights into participants’ experiences of physically active leisure in the context of their everyday lives. First, increased freedom in daily schedules led to both appreciation for spontaneity and a desire for structure. Second, participants experienced new constraints related to the loss of social networks and work-related physical activity. Finally, participants described physically active leisure as being connected to meaningful outcomes such as enjoying the outdoors, stress-relief, or socializing with family and friends. Physically active leisure was described as one health priority among many and one of several healthy leisure alternatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageing
• older adults
• online qualitative research methods
• physically active leisure
• retirement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Toni Liechty is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her degree in Leisure Studies from the Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests include the connection between body image and physically active leisure across the life course.

M. Rebecca Genoe is currently an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina. She earned her degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Aging, Health, and Well-being specialization from the University of Waterloo. Her research interests include meanings and experiences of leisure in later life.

Hannah R. Marston is currently a visiting research associate at the Centre for Research in Computing, in the Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology at the Open University, UK. She earned her degree in Virtual Technology and Gerontology from the School of Computing at Teesside University, UK. Her research interests include the use of technology to facilitate social connectedness, engagement, health and well-being across the life course.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada under [Grant # 430-2013-000124].