Background:
To estimate trends in leisure time physical activity and physical fitness between 1987-2006 in older Spanish people. Methods: We analyzed data collected from the Spanish National Health Surveys conducted in 1987 (n=29,647), 1993 (n=20,707), 1995-1997 (n= 12,800), 2001 (n=21,058), 2003 (n=21,650), and 2006 (n=29,478). The number of subjects aged [greater than or equal to] 65 years included in the current study was 29,263 (1987: n=4,958-16.7%; 1993: n=3,751-17.8%; 1995-97: n=2,229-17.4%; 2001: n=4,356-20.7%; 2003: 6,134-28.3%; 2006: 7,835-26.5%). Main variables included leisure-time physical activity and physical fitness. We analyzed socio-demographic characteristics, self-rated health status, lifestyle habit and co-morbid conditions using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Women exhibited lower prevalence of leisure time physical activity and physical fitness compared to men (P<0.05). The multivariate analysis for time trends found that practising leisure time physical activity increased from 1987 to 2006 (P<0.001). Variables associated with a lower likelihood of practicing leisure time physical activity were: age greater than or equal to 80 years old greater than or equal to 2 co-morbid chronic conditions, and obesity. Variables associated with lower physical fitness included: age greater than or equal to 80 years, worse self rated health; greater than or equal to 2 medications (only for walking), and obesity. Conclusions: We found an increase in leisure time physical activity in the older Spanish population. Older age, married status, co-morbid conditions, obesity, and worse self-perceived health status were associated with lower activity. Identification of these factors can help to identify individuals at risk for physical inactivity.