Acceptable walking and cycling distances and functional disability and mortality in older Japanese adults: An 8-year follow-up study. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsunoda, Kenji; Nagata, Koki; Jindo, Takashi; Fujii, Yuya; Soma, Yuki; Kitano, Naruki; Okura, Tomohiro
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 79(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Physical activity -- Walkability -- Bikeability -- Active travel -- Mobility limitation; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102952
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: We prospectively investigated the association between acceptable travel distances (i.e., walking and cycling) and the incidence of functional disability and mortality among older Japanese adults. A baseline survey was conducted in 2013 among 7618 individuals aged ≥65 years in Kasama City, Japan, and they were tracked through the city's database until 2021. Acceptable travel distances were assessed using a questionnaire. Outcomes (i.e., functional disability and mortality) were gathered as binary (incident or not) with survival time. A multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards model indicated that shorter acceptable walking and cycling distances were markedly linked with higher risks of functional disability and mortality. In conclusion, acceptable distances of ≤500 m for walking and ≤1 km for cycling were associated with higher risks of functional disability and mortality among older adults. Highlights: This was an 8-year follow-up study based on an inventory survey in Kasama City. Data on functional disability and mortality were followed via the City's database. An acceptable walking distance of ≤500 m elevated the risk of both events. An acceptable cycling distance of ≤1 km was also linked with both events.