Health conditions, health symptoms and driving difficulties in older adults

Abstract

Objectives: previous research has indicated that age-related medical or health conditions can affect driving performance in older adults but little, if any, research has examined the mechanisms through which health conditions affect driving difficulties in older adults. Design: cross-sectional, correlational study. Setting: random sample from the community. We examined the nature of the relations among health conditions, healthrelated symptoms, physical fitness levels and specific types of self-reported driving difficulties in a random sample of older adults. Participants: three hundred eighteen adults 60 years of age or older. Intervention: None. Measurements: general health, health-related symptoms, driving-related difficulties and physical activity. Results: our findings support the position that health-related symptoms are more clearly associated with driving difficulties than are health conditions, and mediate the relations between health conditions and driving difficulties. Health-related symptoms involving the spine and lower body appeared to be particularly relevant to difficulties with driving experienced in those body areas (i.e. spine and lower body). Conclusion: these findings are encouraging, in that the most frequently reported symptoms are in areas highly amenable to modification and, in that most of our respondents indicated a willingness to engage in exercise if an association between fitness and driving was demonstrated.

The effects of an exercise program on several abilities associated with driving performance in older adults

“…The maintenance of mobility among older adults is a growing area of concern, and transportation mobility is an important source of independence for older adults (Dickerson et al, 2007;Tuokko et al, 2007). In the present study, a specific exercise program that incorporated open skills and more demanding perceptive and cognitive activities than many of the traditional closed and cyclic physical activities was successful in improving several abilities considered critical for driving performance and safety among older adults.…”

“…Previous studies have found associations between physical activity or mobility with driving (Marottoli et al, 2007; and have also reported that physical activity (or the lack of) is a modifiable factor that is driving-related through its relevance on several health conditions or symptoms (Taylor and Dorn, 2006;Tuokko et al, 2007). Nevertheless, the research approach that emphasises the influence of physical activity on driving capability has been specific, studying associations between the driving task and motor functions (often in populations with some type of impairments) and has not assumed a broader perspective that intends to achieve beneficial exercise effects on several abilities relevant for driving performance.…”

“…Ostrow et al (1992), in a randomized control trial, concluded that an 8-week range-of-motion exercise training program successfully improved older drivers' shoulder flexibility and trunk rotation as well as specific driving skills. Tuokko et al (2007) found that older adults with lower physical activity levels experienced driving difficulties involving the spine and lower body. They found that the most frequently reported symptoms were located in areas highly amenable to modification (spine and lower body) and pointed out that most of the older drivers expressed a willingness to engage in exercise programs if an association between physical fitness and driving could be demonstrated.…”

The potential role of physical activity on driving performance and safety among older adults

“…Tuokko et al [115] found that older adults with lower physical activity levels had evident driving difficulties involving the spine and lower body. They suggested that physical activity focused on the improvement of spinal flexibility could enhance specific aspects of driving performance, such as turning to check for traffic or operating a seat belt.…”

Fit to Drive: A Pilot Study to Improve the Physical Fitness of Older Drivers

“…Sims, McGwin, Allman, Ball, and Owsley (2000) found that self-reported difficulty with yard work, light housework, and opening a jar was correlated with a higher relative risk of crash. Tuokko, Rhodes, and Dean (2007) found that symptoms of health problems experienced in specific body regions were more clearly related to difficulties in driving that were associated with those areas of the body. For example, health symptoms involving the lower body were associated with self-reported difficulties applying the brake or stepping into a vehicle.…”