In a recent study, a UHN KITE Research Institute scientist delves into the vital connection between individual capabilities, neighbourhood walkability, and outdoor walking habits among older adults—shedding light on strategies to promote healthy aging.
As the population ages, maintaining mobility and well-being becomes increasingly crucial for preserving independence, reducing the risk of injury, and promoting quality of life. Walking outdoors is a particularly effective way to achieve these benefits.
“Navigating outdoor environments presents unique challenges for seniors compared to walking indoors: ability and confidence to manage uneven terrain, traffic, and weather conditions can impact their willingness to engage in outdoor walking,” explains Dr. Nancy Salbach, KITE Senior Scientist and co-author of the study. “Understanding these factors is critical to promote healthy aging.”
Dr. Salbach and researchers from the University of Manitoba analyzed data from 205 older adults participating in an outdoor walking program to understand the individual and environmental factors impacting outdoor walking habits.
Factors such as balance, leg strength, walking confidence, speed, endurance, income, and car access were closely linked with outdoor walking habits—highlighting the importance of physical well-being and financial status. In particular, individuals with better walking capacity and greater confidence were more likely to engage in outdoor walking.
Environmental factors like the design of neighbourhoods, availability of sidewalks, and safety of streets indirectly influenced outdoor walking habits.
“Seniors with better physical ability and higher income were found to live in more walkable neighbourhoods that were perceived as safe with low traffic and attractive buildings and landscaping,” explains Dr. Salbach.
The implications of these findings are profound. Interventions aimed at improving balance, walking capacity and self-confidence could increase outdoor walking among older adults. Community-based physiotherapists and other rehabilitation professionals can play an important role in leading walking programs for older adults that enhance individual factors such as balance and walking endurance, while considering how environmental factors like neighbourhood walkability can influence the ability to walk outdoors.
“Our research offers a roadmap for tailoring interventions that address individual capabilities, and account for socioeconomic status and environmental factors,” says Dr. Salbach. “Empowering older adults to overcome physical limitations and creating supportive environments can help promote active living. We need to create programs that are accessible to people regardless of income.”
Looking forward, the research team is interested in partnering with community organizations to implement supervised outdoor walking programs to promote healthy active living for seniors.
As societies explore and overcome the challenges faced by aging populations, this research offers invaluable insights into promoting health and well-being among older adults.
This work was supported by the Visual and Automated Disease Analytics Graduate Training Program of Natural Science and Engineering Research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and UHN Foundation. Dr. Nancy Salbach is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto and holds the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Chair at the University of Toronto.
Liu Y, Salbach NM, Webber SC, Barclay R. Individual and environmental variables related to outdoor walking among older adults: Verifying a model to guide the design of interventions targeting outdoor walking. PLoS One. 2024 Jan 10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296216.
