ABSTRACT
Older adults who walk in their neighbourhood with greater street connectivity are reported to have lower limb physicalperformance decline. There is limited information regarding the association between built environment characteristicsand physical performance in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between built environmentcharacteristics, physical performance, falls risk and functional mobility among older adults. Sixty four (27 men and 37women) community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above (mean 67.4 ± 7.1 years) from senior citizen clubs inKuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. Built environment characteristics were assessed usingan adapted Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical performance and falls risk was measuredusing Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Profile Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) respectively. TimedUp and Go (TUG) and gait speed tests were used to assess functional mobility. There was a significant correlation betweenbuilt environment and physical performance (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and functional mobility measured using gait speedtest (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) among older adults. Built environment was identified as a significant determinant of physicalperformance (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). Built environment characteristics is an important external factor in preservingphysical performance in older adults. Programmes and policies for a more favourable built environment characteristicsin the neighbourhoods should be encouraged to promote and maintain physical performance among older adults
ABSTRACT
Falls is one of the main problems in older adults, which indirectly contributes to deterioration of quality of life, morbidityand mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in values between Timed Up and Go (TUG) andgait speed tests among community dwelling older adults with high and low risk of falls classified using PPA (PhysiologicalProfile Assessment). This cross-sectional study involved 278 older adults aged between 60 to 88 years, recruited fromsenior citizen club around Klang Valley. 40.6% older adults had high risk of falls and mostly were women (75%). Theresults of the study showed that there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in TUG and Gait speed tests performancebetween older adults with high and low risk of falls. Declined mobility (longer time of TUG test) and increased age wereidentified as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for falls in this study. The TUG test reference values obtained in this studymay be useful for early identification, prevention and management of falls among community dwelling older adults.