Table 2 Parallel synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence syntheses and recommendations for future research and practice

Increase in recreational PA after the transition to retirement

Health properties of PA motivate adoption/increase of recreational PA but do not guarantee long-term maintenance

Assess long-term development of recreational PA patterns after retirement

Emphasise multiple benefits of recreational PA rather than focusing only on health benefits

Examine predictors of and barriers to long-term maintenance of recreational PA after retirement

Offer support for long-term maintenance of recreational PA after retirement

Lifelong PA habits influence recreational PA patterns after retirement

Assess predictors of change from lifelong inactivity to physically active lifestyle after retirement

Promote PA to previously inactive retirees

Promote continuation of lifelong PA (e.g. provide opportunities for age-appropiate PA)

Recreational PA provides a new daily routine

Examine the broader benefits of PA after retirement and their potential role in maintenance of PA

Promote recreational PA as a regular feature after retirement

Offer regular exercise classes, walking groups, etc. designed for recently retired

Recreational PA offers new personal challenges

Promote recreational PA as a new challenge (especially for men)

Create opportunities for competitive recreational PA within the same age group/capability level

Recreational PA provides opportunities for social interactions

Promote PA as an opportunity for socialising (especially for women)

Create opportunities for social recreational PA for the recently retired

Broad concept of PA that includes recreational and domestic PA

Self-reported PA assessments need to consider broad concept of PA

Raise awareness of necessary intensity levels and durations of PA after the transition to retirement and how to achieve them

Use objective PA measurements to assess change in PA across the transition to retirement

Investigate the health benefits of domestic PA after the transition to retirement

Decrease in PA after retirement among low SES

Lack of time for recreational PA

Further investigate barriers to PA in retirees from lower occupational groups

Raise awareness of benefits and acceptance of recreational PA among retirees from low SES and their communities

Low perceived value of recreational PA and preference for productive/meaningful PA

Raise awareness of benefits of short bouts of PA across the day

Promote purposeful physical activities (e.g. community projects, dog-walking)