Built environment characteristics and its association between physical performance, falls risk and functional mobility among Malaysian older adults

Older adults who walk in their neighbourhood with greater street connectivity are reported to have lower limb physical performance decline. There is limited information regarding the association between built environment characteristics and physical performance in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between built environment characteristics, physical performance, falls risk and functional mobility among older adults. Sixty four (27 men and 37 women) community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above (mean 67.4 ± 7.1 years) from senior citizen clubs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. Built environment characteristics were assessed using an adapted Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical performance and falls risk was measured using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Profile Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) respectively. Timed Up and Go (TUG) and gait speed tests were used to assess functional mobility. There was a significant correlation between built environment and physical performance (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and functional mobility measured using gait speed test (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) among older adults. Built environment was identified as a significant determinant of physical performance (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). Built environment characteristics is an important external factor in preserving physical performance in older adults. Programmes and policies for a more favourable built environment characteristics in the neighbourhoods should be encouraged to promote and maintain physical performance among older adults

'Timed Up and Go' test: Age, gender and cognitive impairment stratified normative values of older adults.

The aim of this study was to establish 'Timed up and Go' test (TUG) normative data among community dwelling older adults stratified based on cognitive status, gender and age groups.A total of 2084 community dwelling older adults from wave I and II were recruited through a multistage random sampling method. TUG was performed using the standard protocol and scores were then stratified based on with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI), gender and in a 5-year age groups ranging from ages of 60's to 80's.529(16%) participants were identified to have MCI. Past history of falls and medical history of hypertension, heart disease, joint pain, hearing and vision problem, and urinary incontinence were found to have influenced TUG performance. Cognitive status as a mediator, predicted TUG performance even when both gender and age were controlled for (B 0.24, 95% CI (0.02-0.47), β 0.03, t 2.10, p = 0.36). Further descriptive analysis showed, participants with MCI, women and older in age took a longer time to complete TUG, as compared to men with MCI across all age groups with exceptions for some age groups.These results suggested that MCI needs to be taken into consideration when testing older adults using TUG, besides age and gender factors. Data using fast speed TUG may be required among older adults with and without MCI for further understanding

Socio demographic data—Wave I [measured as mean ± SD or n (%)].

<p>Socio demographic data—Wave I [measured as mean ± SD or n (%)].</p

Predictors for TUG using cognitive status as mediator.

<p>Predictors for TUG using cognitive status as mediator.</p

Mean differences in pooled data of TUG score performance among older adults based on cognitive, gender and age.

<p>Mean differences in pooled data of TUG score performance among older adults based on cognitive, gender and age.</p

Socio demographic data—Wave 2 [measured as mean ± SD or n (%)].

<p>Socio demographic data—Wave 2 [measured as mean ± SD or n (%)].</p

Mediation model showing the effects of gender and age on TUG performance with cognitive status as the mediator.

<p>Mediation model showing the effects of gender and age on TUG performance with cognitive status as the mediator.</p

Perbezaan pencapaian ujian timed up and go dan kelajuan berjalan antara warga emas dengan risiko jatuh tinggi dan rendah

Jatuh merupakan salah satu masalah utama dalam kalangan warga emas yang secara tidak langsung menyumbang kepada kemerosotan kualiti hidup, morbiditi dan kematian. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji perbezaan pencapaian ujian Timed Up and Go (TUG) dan kelajuan berjalan dalam kalangan warga emas di komuniti dengan risiko jatuh yang tinggi dan rendah, menggunakan Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Kajian keratan rentas ini melibatkan 278 orang warga emas berumur di antara 60-88 tahun dari kelab warga emas di sekitar Lembah Klang. 40.6% warga emas mempunyai risiko jatuh tinggi dan kebanyakkan adalah perempuan (75%). Terdapat perbezaan signifikan (p < 0.001) dalam pencapaian ujian TUG dan kelajuan berjalan antara golongan warga emas yang berisiko jatuh yang tinggi dan rendah. Penurunan mobiliti (masa ujian TUG yang lebih lama) dan peningkatan umur telah dikenal pasti sebagai faktor risiko yang signifikan (p < 0.05) bagi jatuh dalam kajian ini. Nilai rujukan yang diperoleh untuk ujian TUG daripada kajian ini dapat dimanfaatkan untuk mengenal pasti warga emas di komuniti dengan risiko jatuh, pada fasa yang lebih awal serta membolehkan pengelakkan dan pengurusan jatuh