Physical Limitations, Walkability, Perceived Environmental Facilitators and Physical Activity of Older Adults in Finland

Bibliographic Data

ID15475003
AuthorsErja Portegijs (0000-0002-5205-9616, University of Jyväskylä, corresponding author), Kirsi E Keskinen (0000-0001-9876-5658, University of Jyväskylä), Kirsi Keskinen (University of Jyväskylä), Li‐Tang Tsai (0000-0001-6571-3376, University of Jyväskylä), Li-Tang Tsai (University of Jyväskylä), Taina Rantanen (0000-0002-1604-1945, University of Jyväskylä), Merja Rantakokko (0000-0003-3546-1600, University of Jyväskylä)
Year2017
Volume14
Issue3
Pages333-333
Publication date2017-03-22
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph14030333
PMID28327543
OpenAlexW2602114246
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited46

The aim was to study objectively assessed walkability of the environment and participant perceived environmental facilitators for outdoor mobility as predictors of physical activity in older adults with and without physical limitations. 75-90-year-old adults living independently in Central Finland were interviewed ( n = 839) and reassessed for self-reported physical activity one or two years later ( n = 787). Lower-extremity physical limitations were defined as Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤9. Number of perceived environmental facilitators was calculated from a 16-item checklist. Walkability index (land use mix, street connectivity, population density) of the home environment was calculated from geographic information and categorized into tertiles. Accelerometer-based step counts were registered for one week ( n = 174). Better walkability was associated with higher numbers of perceived environmental facilitators ( p p = 0.021, step count p = 0.010). Especially among those with physical limitations, reporting more environmental facilitators was associated with higher odds for reporting at least moderate physical activity ( p < 0.001), but not step counts. Perceived environmental facilitators only predicted self-reported physical activity at follow-up. To conclude, high walkability of the living environment provides opportunities for physical activity in old age, but among those with physical limitations especially, awareness of environmental facilitators may be needed to promote physical activity

Built environment · Environmental health · Geography · Level design · Physical activity · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Walkability · Computer Science · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Urban Transport and Accessibility · Ecology · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access