Physical inactivity

Following Caspersen et al., physical activity behavior was divided into physical activity and sports [47]. These two aspects were determined in GEDA09 and GEDA10 by three questions [41, 42]. The variable “Inactivity” was formulated according to Caspersen et al. [47] as a combination of lack of physical activity defined as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine (to be physically active less than 5 days per week for at least 30 min) [48] and a lack of sports-related activity in the past 3 months. These cut-off points are in line with the WHO recommendations which suggest for adults aged 65 and older to be physical active (including leisure time activities as well as sports) between 150 and 300 min per week. Sports-related activity being a subset of physical activity is defined as planned, structured, and repetitive and following the goal to achieve physical fitness. Physical activity however is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles [47].