Table 1 Characteristics of the seven participating couples
Couple | Pseudonym | EPIC cohort participant | Age | Former occupation | Time in retirement | Physical activity behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Couple 1 | Arnold | No | 66 | Ironworker | 2 years | Daily dog walking, regular gardening, regular DIY, walking for transport |
Norma | Yes | 64 | Healthcare worker | 4 years | Daily dog walking, occasional swimming, daily cycling, regular gardening, occasional child care, occasional line dancing, walking for transport | |
Couple 2 | Stan | Yes | 63 | Military/office manager | 5 years | Regular recreational walking, occasional swimming, occasional cycling, regular gardening, occasional child care, walking for transport |
Mary | Yes | 65 | Retail manager | 2 years | Regular recreational walking, occasional cycling, regular weight training, regular gardening, occasional child care, walking for transport | |
Couple 3 | Ralph | Yes | 63 | Military/administrative assistant | Gradual retirement | Occasional recreational walking, occasional gardening |
Gwen | Yes | 65 | Administrative assistant | 5 years, does regular voluntary work | Occasional recreational walking, regular swimming, regular aerobic classes, regular gardening, regular walking for transport | |
Couple 4 | Terry | No | 68 | Gardener | Partly retired | Regular running, regular race cycling, regular exercise classes, regular weight training, cycling for transport |
Louise | Yes | 65 | Administrative assistant | 2 years | Regular recreational walking, occasional cycling, occasional gardening | |
Couple 5 | Peter | Yes | 66 | Head teacher | 4 years, regular voluntary work | Daily dog walking, occasional DIY, regular childcare, regular care for elderly parents |
Jill | No | 64 | Secretary | 5 years | Daily dog walking, regular dog agility classes, regular childcare, regular care for elderly parents | |
Couple 6 | John | No | 70 | Gardener | Partly retired | Regular gardening (part-time occupation), regular recreational walking, regular childcare, regular walking for transport |
Pamela | Yes | 65 | Administrative assistant | 4 years | Regular treadmill exercise at home, regular childcare, regular walking for transport | |
Couple 7 | Graham | No | 67 | Printer | 4 years | Regular recreational walking, regular gardening, regular golfing, walking for transport |
Kate | Yes | 65 | Pharmacy assistant | 5 years | Regular recreational walking, regular keep-fit classes, regular gardening, walking for transport |