Exploring Changes in Barriers and Facilitators for Physical Activity during the Retirement Transition: A Qualitative Interview Study Based on the Behavior Change Wheel

Abstract

The retirement transition has been associated with a decrease in total physical activity (PA). However, little is known about effective interventions to counteract this decrease. Prior to designing interventions, more information is needed about the changes in PA and in determinants of PA around this life change. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate perceived changes in PA. The second aim was to explore the changes in PA barriers and facilitators experienced by recent retirees. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 retirees six to ten months after their retirement transition. The interview guide consisted of open questions as well as specific questions based on the “behavior change wheel” (BCW). The analysis of the interviews involved an initial inductive reflexive thematic analysis, followed by deductive mapping of the themes onto the COM‐B categories, which are an integral part of the BCW. Most retirees experienced an increase in PA. The first inductive theme regarding changes in barriers and facilitators for PA was labelled as “changes in time availability and time structure.” For instance, one of the facilitators was that increased time availability led to more PA. However, as a barrier, it was noted that this sometimes resulted in increased procrastination as well. The second theme was labelled “emotional/mental changes” and included facilitators such as a decreased feeling of being useful with consequent uptake of new purposeful (physical) activities. Conversely, a perceived barrier was the idea that reduced PA is allowed after retirement. The third theme, “social changes,” highlights for instance the facilitator that many participants expressed an increased desire to expand their social network for shared (physical) activities. The identified themes were mapped onto the COM‐B categories and potential intervention functions were discussed.