Abstract
BackgroundBased on a conceptual framework, Kuspinar and colleagues analysed life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults. However, a number of earlier mobility studies that used the same framework remained undiscussed. This correspondence article addresses similarities and differences between these studies, as well as highlight issues that need to be addressed to improve our understanding of mobility determinants in older adults.FindingsDespite differences in methodological approach as well as in detailed results, the studies share one important outcome: regardless of the specific choice of potential mobility determinants, only a low to moderate proportion of mobility could be explained.ConclusionsOur present understanding of the determinants of mobility in community-dwelling older adults is limited. A consistent terminology that takes into account the different aspects of mobility; the use of objective methods to assess real-life mobility; and monitoring changes in real-life mobility in response to interventions will contribute to furthering our understanding of mobility determinants.
Highlights
Based on a conceptual framework, Kuspinar and colleagues analysed life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults
A consistent terminology that takes into account the different aspects of mobility; the use of objective methods to assess real-life mobility; and monitoring changes in real-life mobility in response to interventions will contribute to furthering our understanding of mobility determinants
The paper’s results are an important extension of early findings by Meyer et al [2] and by other recent studies [3–6] that used similar approaches to study mobility in community-dwelling older adults. Since none of these recent studies was discussed in the paper by Kuspinar et al, this correspondence article aims to address similarities and differences with earlier studies of life-space mobility as well as highlight issues that need to be addressed to improve our understanding of mobility in older adults
Summary
Based on a conceptual framework, Kuspinar and colleagues analysed life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults. Conclusions: Our present understanding of the determinants of mobility in community-dwelling older adults is limited. A consistent terminology that takes into account the different aspects of mobility; the use of objective methods to assess real-life mobility; and monitoring changes in real-life mobility in response to interventions will contribute to furthering our understanding of mobility determinants.
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