Table 1.

Baseline characteristics in relation to 10-year physical activity pattern

Baseline exposure	Persistent inactive/ changeable (n=2428)	Persistent active (n=2259)
Age (years)	64.4±9.2	59.9±6.9
Women (%)	61.9	50.5
Retired (%)	50.5	37.9
Depressive symptoms (%)	17.5	8.1
Ever smoker (%)	63.3	59.2
Long-standing illness (%)	61.9	40.9
Arthritis (%)	39.0	21.1
BMI (kg/m2)	26.0±9.2	25.2±7.6
Highest wealth quintile (%)	18.2	33.6

‘Persistently active’ defined as reporting moderate and/or vigorous physical activity at least once a week over all six assessment points.

BMI, body mass index.