Do Older Adults’ Beliefs About Their Community Mobility Predict Walking Performance?

Abstract

Among older adults, preserving community mobility (CM) is important for maintaining independent living. We explored whether perceptions of the environment and self-efficacy for CM (SE-CM) would predict walking performance for tasks reflecting CM. We hypothesized that perceptions of the environment and SE-CM would be additive predictors of walking performance on tasks reflecting the complexity of CM. Independent living older adults (N = 60) aged 64-85 completed six complex walking tasks (CWTs), SE-CM, and the environmental analysis of mobility questionnaire (EAMQ). Multiple regression analyses indicated that for each CWT, the EAMQ scales predicted walking performance (range: model R2Adj. = .078 to .139, p < .04). However, when SE-CM was added to the models, it was the sole significant predictor (p < .05). Contrary to our hypotheses, SE-CM was the best predictor in the additive models. SE-CM may be more correspondent to walking tests and thus a more sensitive predictor of CM walking performance.

Community ambulation in older adults and people with OA – a model verification using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data

“…These aspects are related to safely crossing a street in the time that a walk signal allows and walking distances required to complete necessary activities such as shopping [ 17 – 19 ]. Additional attributes associated with difficulties in walking outdoors for older adults include fear of moving outdoors [ 2 ], and low self-efficacy related to community mobility gait, balance, and overcoming barriers [ 20 , 21 ]. Poor mental health (including depression, stress and emotional problems) is associated with less frequent walking in one’s neighbourhood [ 22 ].…”

Individual and environmental variables related to outdoor walking among older adults: Verifying a model to guide the design of interventions targeting outdoor walking

“…Walking outdoors can lead to substantial benefits in older adults, such as better physical and mental health, improved health-related quality of life, lower risk of chronic health conditions, and lower risk of mortality [1][2][3][4][5]. However, individual characteristics such as reduced balance and leg strength [6], insufficient walking self-efficacy, high fear for personal safety [7], and inadequate knowledge regarding using walking aids [8] can limit outdoor walking (OW). Additionally, environmental characteristics, including poor social support, street-related hazards (e.g., traffic, curbs, walking and/or cycling lanes), access to services (e.g., benches, public bathrooms), and neighbourhood safety, also contribute to reductions in OW [9][10][11][12].…”

A park-based group mobility program for older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: a quantitative process evaluation of the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial

“…Patla and Shumway-Cook proposed a widely accepted theoretical framework of eight dimensions of individual and environmental factors important for older adults’ ambulation in the community [ 11 ]. Research supports that individual characteristics (e.g., limitations in lower extremity strength, balance and general fitness [ 12 , 13 ]; fear of and/or low self-efficacy for community mobility [ 12 , 14 ]) and environmental considerations (e.g., lack of social support [ 15 ], transportation issues [ 15 ], poor neighborhood walkability [ 12 , 13 ], and extreme weather [ 11 , 13 , 16 ]) limit levels of outdoor walking among older adults. However, only recently have researchers begun to investigate outdoor walking interventions designed to address one or more of the dimensions proposed in the framework.…”