Introduction Results Marital Duration is Associated with Greater Moderate Physical Activity in Older Adults Xiaomeng Xu 1, Jennifer M. Tomlinson 2, & Brooke C. Feeney 3 1 Idaho State University; 2 Colgate University; 3 Carnegie Mellon University Physical activity (PA) is important as it helps prevent and improve prognosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, depression, and cognitive decline [1-5]. However, most adults do not engage in sufficient levels of PA [6]. As social relationships (including marriage) influence physical health and behaviors [7], it is important to better understand the associations between social factors and physical activity. This study investigated the relationship between marital duration and physical activity in older couples. Method Data was collected as part of Tomlinson & Feeney’s Transition to Retirement Study Participants were 100 married couples (M Length = years; M Age = years; Median Income $80,000-$100,000) where one or both members retired within last 2 years (M Time = months) Participants completed a questionnaire assessing demographics, marital duration, and height & weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the standard formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)] 2 x 703 A year later, 173 participants filled out a functional health questionnaire [8] which included 3 questions on physical activity over the past 12 months: Participants estimated hours per week spent in light activities (e.g. standing or walking slowly, bowling, fishing quietly), medium (moderate) activities (e.g. digging or gardening, dancing, bicycling), and strenuous (heavy) activities (e.g. jogging or running fast, playing handball or squash, skiing). Age was significantly related to marital duration r =.33, p <.001 Controlling for age, log transformed marital duration was positively correlated with self- reported moderate-intensity physical activity over the next 12 months, pr =.22, p =.006. Results were consistent when using raw marital duration values. This association remained significant after additionally controlling for demographics (gender, ethnicity, education, income, retirement status) and BMI, pr =.20, p =.022. Marital duration was not significantly related to light or strenuous physical activity. Discussion Marital duration was positively associated with reported moderate-intensity physical activity over the next 12 months This association remained significant after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, retirement status) and BMI. Future analyses with this dataset will explore potential mechanisms for this effect (e.g. relationship satisfaction, retirement satisfaction, self-expansion, perceived partner responsiveness, health goals, goal progress, and cardiovascular functioning). Acknowledgments Funding via National Institute on Aging F32AG to Jennifer Tomlinson References 1. Jones, K.D., Adams, D., Winters-Stone, K., & Burckhardt, C.S. (2006). A comprehensive review of 46 exercise treatment studies in fibromyalgia (1988– 2005). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 4: Sattelmair, J., Pertman, J., Ding, E.L., Kohl, H.W., Haskell, W., & Lee, I.M. (2011). Dose response between physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease: A meta-analysis. Circulation,124, Sofi, F., Valecchi, D., Bacci, D., Abbate, R., Gensini, G. F., Casini, A., & Macchi, C. (2011). Physical activity and risk of cognitive decline: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Journal of Internal Medicine, 269, 107– Swift, D.L., Lavie, C.J., Johannsen, N.M., et al. (2013). Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise training in primary and secondary coronary prevention. Circulation Journal, 77(2), Warburton, D.E., Nicol, C.W., & Bredin, S.S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174, Tucker, J.M., Welk, G.J., & Beyler, N.K. (2011). Physical activity in U.S. adults: compliance with the physical activity guidelines for Americans. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 40(4), 454– Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B., & Layton, J.B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7): e Levenson, R.W., Carstensen, L.L., & Gottman, J.M. (1993). Long-term marriage: Age, gender, and satisfaction. Psychology and Aging, 8, Results Moderate physical activity hours/week were coded 1 (no hours), 2 (1 hour), 3 (2-5 hours), 4 (6-10 hours), 5 (11-15 hours), and 6 (16+ hours)