BACKGROUND: Task modification refers to performing a task differently than before. While task modification in walking may be a sign of looming walking difficulty, it may also be adaptive in and postpone the decline in life-space mobility. However, this has not been studied. This study examined whether changes in life-space mobility over a 2-year period differ between people who at baseline report no walking difficulty and no task modification, those who report no walking difficulty but task modification, and those who report walking difficulty. METHODS: Community-dwelling people aged 75-90 years were interviewed face-to-face at baseline (N = 848), and over phone one (n = 816) and two (n = 761) years later. Life-space mobility was assessed annually with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0-120, higher scores indicate better life-space mobility). Self-reported ability to walk 2 km was assessed at baseline and categorized into "no difficulty," "no difficulty but task modifications" (reduced frequency, given up walking, walking slower or resting during walking) and "difficulty." The analyses were adjusted for age, gender, number of chronic conditions, cognitive impairment, lower extremity performance and education. RESULTS: The life-space mobility score was highest and remained stable over 2-years among those with no walking difficulties at baseline and lowest and showing a steady decline among those with walking difficulties. Those with task modifications formed the middle group. They showed no marked changes in life-space mobility during the first year, but significant decline during the second year. CONCLUSION: Task modifications in walking may help community-dwelling older people to postpone life-space mobility decline.
BACKGROUND: Task modification refers to performing a task differently than before. While task modification in walking may be a sign of looming walking difficulty, it may also be adaptive in and postpone the decline in life-space mobility. However, this has not been studied. This study examined whether changes in life-space mobility over a 2-year period differ between people who at baseline report no walking difficulty and no task modification, those who report no walking difficulty but task modification, and those who report walking difficulty. METHODS: Community-dwelling people aged 75-90 years were interviewed face-to-face at baseline (N = 848), and over phone one (n = 816) and two (n = 761) years later. Life-space mobility was assessed annually with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0-120, higher scores indicate better life-space mobility). Self-reported ability to walk 2 km was assessed at baseline and categorized into "no difficulty," "no difficulty but task modifications" (reduced frequency, given up walking, walking slower or resting during walking) and "difficulty." The analyses were adjusted for age, gender, number of chronic conditions, cognitive impairment, lower extremity performance and education. RESULTS: The life-space mobility score was highest and remained stable over 2-years among those with no walking difficulties at baseline and lowest and showing a steady decline among those with walking difficulties. Those with task modifications formed the middle group. They showed no marked changes in life-space mobility during the first year, but significant decline during the second year. CONCLUSION: Task modifications in walking may help community-dwelling older people to postpone life-space mobility decline.
Authors: J Vseteckova; K Dadova; R Gracia; G Ryan; E Borgstrom; J Abington; M Gopinath; Y Pappas Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act Date: 2020-09-21 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Lisa Langsetmo; Allyson M Kats; Peggy M Cawthon; Jane A Cauley; Tien N Vo; Brent C Taylor; Marcia L Stefanick; Nancy E Lane; Katie L Stone; Eric S Orwoll; John T Schousboe; Kristine E Ensrud Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2019-05-16 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Erja Portegijs; Kirsi E Keskinen; Li-Tang Tsai; Taina Rantanen; Merja Rantakokko Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-03-22 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Taina Rantanen; Milla Saajanaho; Laura Karavirta; Sini Siltanen; Merja Rantakokko; Anne Viljanen; Timo Rantalainen; Katja Pynnönen; Anu Karvonen; Inna Lisko; Lotta Palmberg; Johanna Eronen; Eeva-Maija Palonen; Timo Hinrichs; Markku Kauppinen; Katja Kokko; Erja Portegijs Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2018-05-02 Impact factor: 3.295