The Association of Mobility Determinants and Life Space Among Older Adults

Abstract

Background It is important to understand the factors associated with life space mobility so that mobility disability can be prevented/treated. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between mobility determinants and life space among older adults. Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 249 community-dwelling older adults (mean age=77.4 years, 65.5% female, 88% white) who were recruited for a randomized, controlled, clinical intervention trial. Associations between cognitive, physical, psychosocial, financial, and environmental mobility determinants and the Life Space Assessment (LSA) at baseline were determined using Spearman’s correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance. Multivariate analysis was performed using multivariable linear regression models. Results The mean LSA score for the sample was 75.3 (SD=17.8). Personal factors (age, gender, education, comorbidities), cognitive (Trail Making Test A and B), physical (gait speed, lower extremity power, Six Minute Walk Test, Figure of 8 Walk Test, tandem stance, energy cost of walking, and Late Life Function and Disability Function Scale), psychosocial (Modified Gait Efficacy Scale), and financial (neighborhood socio-economic status) domains of mobility were significantly associated with LSA score. In the final regression model, age (β=-0.43), lower extremity power (β=0.03), gait efficacy (β=0.19), and energy cost of walking (β=-57.41) were associated with life space (R 2=0.238). Conclusions Younger age, greater lower extremity power, more confidence in walking, and lower energy cost of walking were associated with greater life space. Clinicians treating individuals with mobility disability should consider personal, physical, and psychosocial factors assessing barriers to life space mobility.

Real-World Navigation With Application: Characteristics of Gaze Behavior and Associated Factors in Older Adults

“…Future research should examine the factors associated with app-based navigation walks in combination with an assessment of higher brain function. Regarding LSA, De Silva et al (2019) showed that cognitive decline in older adults with limited living space, and Dunlap et al (2021) found a significant relationship between LSA scores and gait-related measures. Considering the relationship between walking speed, cognitive function and LSA, efficient app-based navigation and life space may also have a bidirectional relationship.…”

Associations between walking limitations and reported activity destinations among older adults

“…This may suggest that they have more physical reserves and are thus willing to travel further to a specific type of destination. Previous studies have shown that mobility restrictions are associated with a smaller activity range (Iveson et al 2023 ) and lower life-space mobility (Dunlap et al 2022 ), indicating that older adults with mobility limitations may have more limited use of their environment (Iveson et al 2023 ). The physical exercise and attractive destinations reported by those with walking difficulty were all within one kilometer from home.…”

Gait Features in Different Environments Contributing to Participation in Outdoor Activities in Old Age (GaitAge): Protocol for an Observational Cross-Sectional Study

“…Life-space mobility refers to the spatial area in which a person moves in daily life, taking into account distance, frequency, and any assistance needed for movement. Restrictions in participating in out-of-home activities are known to correlate, for example, with functional limitations, pain, depression, and chronic conditions [ 11 - 13 ]. Previously it has also been shown that life-space mobility correlates with, for example, quality of life [ 14 , 15 ], physical functioning, and autonomy [ 16 ], and that restrictions on it may lead to cognitive decline [ 17 , 18 ], falls and fractures [ 19 ], nursing home admission [ 20 ], or even mortality [ 21 ].…”