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. 2017 Mar 22;14(3):333.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph14030333.

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

Erja Portegijs  1 , Kirsi E Keskinen  2 , Li-Tang Tsai  3   4 , Taina Rantanen  5 , Merja Rantakokko  6
Affiliations

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

Erja Portegijs et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

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 < 0.001) and higher physical activity (self-reported 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.

Keywords: GIS; age-friendly environment; aging; mobility limitation; perceived environment; physical activity; physical function; walk-friendly environment; walking.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results. Due to ethical and legal restriction, data are available on request from the LISPE research group. To ensure the protection of privacy and compliance with relevant Finnish laws, researchers interested in using the data must obtain approval for data usage. Additional, restrictions and conditions may apply. To request the data please contact Professor Taina Rantanen (taina.rantanen@jyu.fi).

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