Outdoor mobility and use of adaptive or maladaptive walking modifications among older people

Abstract

Background: In old age, decline in functioning may cause changes in walking ability. Our aim was to study whether older people who report adaptive, maladaptive, or no walking modifications differ in outdoor mobility. Methods: Community-dwelling people aged 75-90 years (N = 848) were interviewed at baseline, of whom 761 participated in the 2-year follow-up. Walking modifications were assessed by asking the participants whether they had modified their way of walking 2 km due to their health. Based on the responses, three categories were formed: no walking modifications (reference), adaptive (eg, walking more slowly, using an aid), and maladaptive walking modifications (reduced frequency of walking, or having given up walking 2 km). Differences between these categories in life-space mobility, autonomy in participation outdoors, and unmet physical activity need were analyzed using generalized estimation equation models. Results: Participants with maladaptive walking modifications (n = 238) reported the most restricted life-space mobility (β = -9.6, SE = 2.5, p