G5 Doctoral dissertation (article)
Physical environments, activity destinations and out-of-home mobility in old age (2025)
Fyysinen ympäristö, aktiivisuuden paikat ja ulkona liikkuminen ikääntyessä
Tuomola, E.-M. (2025). Physical environments, activity destinations and out-of-home mobility in old age [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Jyväskylä. JYU Dissertations, 868. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0460-0
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Tuomola, Essi-Mari
eISBN: 978-952-86-0460-0
Journal or series: JYU Dissertations
eISSN: 2489-9003
Publication year: 2025
Number in series: 868
Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (91 sivua, 50 sivua useina numerointijaksoina, 4 numeroimatonta sivua)
Publisher: University of Jyväskylä
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: English
Persistent website address: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0460-0
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Abstract
Outdoor mobility is important for the well-being of older adults and is influenced by individual and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the individual resources, environmental factors, and activity destinations that contribute to the out-of-home mobility of older adults. This dissertation is based on datasets from two research projects: Life-Space Mobility in Old Age (2012; n = 848, and 2016; n = 206); and Active Ageing – Resilience and External Support as Modifiers of the Disablement Outcome (2017–2018; n = 901, and 2021–2022; n = 613). The participants were community-dwelling people aged 75 to 90 living in Central Finland. Self-reported 2-km walking difficulties, physical activity, sense of autonomy, and participation in leisure activities were assessed in home interviews. Visited destinations (physical exercise, attractive, regular) were collected using the Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS) questionnaire. A neighborhood walkability index, the land use type around the destination, and the distance to the destination were calculated using geospatial datasets. The older adults living in the highest walkability area had higher odds for frequent participation in cultural and individual activities and lower odds for participation in outdoor activities than those living in the lowest walkability area. Reporting intact walking or walking modifications was associated with frequent participation in leisure activities and a higher number of activity destinations and destinations located further away from home. The older adults reporting higher physical activity used a larger variety of physical exercise destinations and destinations located further away from home than those reporting lower physical activity. Visiting a lower number of activity destinations and destinations located closer to home was associated with a more restricted sense of autonomy outdoors. This study highlights the importance of balancing environmental amenities and an individual’s interests and functional abilities. Both objective environmental factors and subjective experiences should be considered to further understanding of the factors influencing activity behavior and choice of activity destinations among older adults.
Keywords: older people; physical activity; ability to move; walking (motion); difficulties; leisure activities; outdoor recreation; cultural hobbies; physical environment; residential environment; distance; accessibility; geographic information; doctoral dissertations
Free keywords: outdoor mobility; walking difficulties; physical environment; geographic information; aging
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Active ageing - resilience and external support as modifiers of the disablement outcome
- Rantanen, Taina
- European Commission
- Are older people becoming younger?
Cohort differences in perceived age and functional capacity among 75- and 80-year-old people assessed 28 years apart (The Evergreen 2)- Rantanen, Taina
- Research Council of Finland
Related research datasets
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2025