Abstract
This study used objective Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to investigate the relationship between pedestrian and vehicle trips to physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning in older adults living in retirement communities. Older adults (N = 279; mean age = 83 ± 6 years) wore a GPS and accelerometer for 6 days. Participants completed standard health measures. The Personal Activity and Location Measurement System (PALMS) was used to calculate the average daily number of trips, distance, and minutes traveled for pedestrian and vehicle trips from the combined GPS and accelerometer data. Linear mixed effects regression models explored relationships between these transportation variables and physical, psychological and cognitive functioning. Number, distance, and minutes of pedestrian trips were positively associated with physical and psychological functioning but not cognitive functioning. Number of vehicle trips was negatively associated with fear of falls; there were no other associations between the vehicle trip variables and functioning. Vehicle travel did not appear to be related to functioning in older adults in retirement communities except that fear of falling was related to number of vehicle trips. Pedestrian trips had moderate associations with multiple physical and psychological functioning measures, supporting a link between walking and many aspects of health in older adults.
Highlights
There is a well-documented trend in the increasing number of adults over the age of 65 in the UnitedStates and worldwide
We evaluated the relation of the (1) number of pedestrian and vehicle trips per day; (2) distance traveled per day in pedestrian and vehicle trips; and (3) daily minutes spent in pedestrian and vehicle trips, to physical, psychological, and cognitive functioning
Personal Activity and Location Measurement System (PALMS) does not employ the accelerometer data in its transportation algorithms and we have shown that additional accelerometer criteria improve predictions [22]
Summary
There is a well-documented trend in the increasing number of adults over the age of 65 in the UnitedStates and worldwide. There is a well-documented trend in the increasing number of adults over the age of 65 in the United. It is important to understand the impact of place on continued mobility in older adults. There is a reduction in mobility that has been linked to a number of health outcomes [6]. Mobility can be defined as physical mobility, which is highly related to the ability to walk and includes an individual’s capability to engage in activities of daily living [7]. Several studies have indicated that physical mobility is an important element in quality of life as it allows older adults to continue leading dynamic and independent lives [8,9]. Physical mobility delays the onset of disabilities, postpones frailty, and contributes to subjective well-being and life satisfaction [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
