In 19 towns and cities across Europe, physical activity and activities of daily living were studied in 2586 elderly people born between 1913 and 1918. Data were obtained as part of a standardized questionnaire. Large variations in both levels of physical activity and activities of daily living existed among research towns and cities. Altogether, women spent more hours per day on physically active tasks than men, including more time on housework (2.6-3.9 h/day versus 0.7-2.3 h/day for men) and on leisuretime activities (2.0-4.2 h/day versus 0.9-2.3 h/day for men). According to 16 items of functioning, including both items of personal functioning and more complex tasks, functioning was rated as good in most of the elderly. In all centres good functioning was most prevalent in men, and in the younger elderly born in 1917 or 1918. In further cross-sectional analyses the relationship between physical activity, nutrition and other life-style factors, on the one hand, and anthropometry, health and performance, on the other hand, will be examined.