Perceived barriers in the outdoor environment and development of walking difficulties in older people
Author
Summary, in English
SIR—Older people with mobility limitations often report
more barriers in their outdoor environment than people
with intact mobility [1]. However, it is uncertain whether
older people perceive their environment as problematic
because of their mobility limitations or whether the environmental
barriers precede incident mobility limitation, as
most studies have been limited to cross-sectional analyses
[2–5]. Only a few longitudinal studies have shown that barriers
in the outdoor environment, such as poor street conditions,
poor lighting and heavy traffic, increase the risk for
overall functional loss [6, 7] and decrease physical activity
participation [8]. More knowledge is needed about the characteristics
of outdoor environments that threaten the mobility
of older people [9].
The aim of the study reported in this letter was to
explore whether perceived barriers in the outdoor environment
predict development of difficulties in advanced and
basic mobility among community-dwelling people who did
not have walking difficulties at baseline.
more barriers in their outdoor environment than people
with intact mobility [1]. However, it is uncertain whether
older people perceive their environment as problematic
because of their mobility limitations or whether the environmental
barriers precede incident mobility limitation, as
most studies have been limited to cross-sectional analyses
[2–5]. Only a few longitudinal studies have shown that barriers
in the outdoor environment, such as poor street conditions,
poor lighting and heavy traffic, increase the risk for
overall functional loss [6, 7] and decrease physical activity
participation [8]. More knowledge is needed about the characteristics
of outdoor environments that threaten the mobility
of older people [9].
The aim of the study reported in this letter was to
explore whether perceived barriers in the outdoor environment
predict development of difficulties in advanced and
basic mobility among community-dwelling people who did
not have walking difficulties at baseline.
Department/s
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Pages
118-121
Publication/Series
Age and Ageing
Volume
41
Issue
1
Full text
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Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Topic
- Gerontology, specializing in Medical and Health Sciences
Status
Published
Project
- Life-Space Mobility in Older People (LISPE)
Research group
- Sustainable occupations and health in a life course perspective
- Active and Healthy Ageing Research Group
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1468-2834