Time devoted by elderly people to physical activities: micro-econometric evidence from Spain

Resumen

In this paper, I analyse the differences in the time devoted to walking, cycling, gymnastics, and hunting by the elderly in Spain, considering own and socio-demographic characteristics. Using data from the Spanish Time-Use Survey (STUS) 2009-10, I estimate a simultaneous SUR model with data from the 4,036 individuals aged 65 years and over (inclusive), finding that men devote more time to the four physical activities than do women, that good health positively influences the time devoted to these activities, and that living in a large municipality positively influences the time devoted to walking, while living in a very large municipality negatively influences the time devoted to cycling. The work is important in terms of public policy, since inactive lifestyles are a major public health challenge, and an analysis of these activities may provide guidance toward better solutions. An increase in the frequency of physical activity in the Spanish population in this age range would lead to a significant reduction of health expenditure.