Identifying Outdoor Winter Walking Programs and Resources for Older Adults: A Scoping Review of the Grey Literature

Abstract

Purpose: The objective was to synthesize outdoor winter walking programs and resources for older adults, identified as a priority by the Winter Walk team comprised of older adults; and researchers and trainees from the rehabilitation and geography sciences. Method: A scoping review of web-based grey literature was conducted. Teams of two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. Web-based resources were included if their content dealt with adults ≥65 years of age; an outdoor winter walking program, intervention, or general resource; and was written in English. Results: Twenty-seven website resources were eligible and included in the review. Resources were from Canada or the United States and included information provided by government, non-profit organizations, media and businesses. All resources focused on some aspect of winter walking safety and only one mentioned a winter walking program. Conclusions: Web-based resources for outdoor winter walking were synthesized to assist older adults and clinicians with access to safe outdoor winter walking information.