Supporting Physical Activity in Patients and Populations During Life Events and Transitions

Published: December 01, 2021

Multi Generation Family Playing Soccer Together
  • There are facilitators and barriers to physical activity that occur with typical life events during each stage, from early childhood to late older age, that can inform clinical and population strategies to maintain physical activity across the lifespan.
  • Life transition events such as entering high school or college, structured versus unstructured days (school days versus summer/online school), getting married or divorced, pregnancy and parenting, initiating, or retiring from work, or receiving a major health diagnosis, are often associated with some disruption of established routines, including physical activity patterns.
  • This statement specifically identifies vulnerable subgroups, succinctly addresses factors associated with resilience or susceptibility to life transition events and provides tools for the health care professional to promote physical activity during and after life transition events.