Characterising life-space mobility and its relationship to physical capacity and outdoor walking in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: a secondary data analysis

To describe life-space mobility (LSM) and its relationship with physical capacity (PC) (walking endurance, walking speed, leg strength, balance), and outdoor walking in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors. A secondary analysis of baseline data from 173 adults aged ≥ 65 years with mobility limitations in the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) study was conducted. LSM was measured using the Life-space Assessment (LSA), and PC was assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 10-meter walk test (10mWT) at a comfortable and fast pace, 30-second sit-to-stand (30sSTS), and mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest). The relationship between scores on PC measures and outdoor walking time, assessed by the CHAMPS-OUTDOORS questionnaire, and LSA score, was examined using Spearman correlations and backward stepwise regression modelling, adjusted for age and sex. Mean LSA score was 64.6 ± 20.2. Scores on each study measure had a fair and positive correlation (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) with LSA score: 6MWT (<i>ρ</i> = 0.42), 10mWT (<i>ρ</i> = 0.44, 0.45), 30sSTS (<i>ρ</i> = 0.43), mini-BESTest (<i>ρ</i> = 0.43), and CHAMPS-OUTDOORS (<i>ρ</i> = 0.28). The final regression model, including 10mWT, 30sSTS, mini-BESTest, explained 31% of LSA score variance. PC and outdoor walking time relate to LSM in community-dwelling older adults with difficulty walking outdoors, though outdoor walking time has a weaker correlation with LSM. Life-space mobility is a concept that describes one’s frequency and independence in moving through different areas of living.Understanding the factors affecting life-space mobility, which relates to ageing outcomes, may help clinicians direct rehabilitation efforts.Canadian older adults with difficulty walking outdoors have lower life-space mobility than Canadian older adults, based on scores on the Life-Space Assessment.For older adults with difficulty walking outdoors, rehabilitation professionals could consider performance on the 10-metre walk test (comfortable speed), 30-second sit-to-stand, and the mini-BESTest combined to best reflect life-space mobility. Life-space mobility is a concept that describes one’s frequency and independence in moving through different areas of living. Understanding the factors affecting life-space mobility, which relates to ageing outcomes, may help clinicians direct rehabilitation efforts. Canadian older adults with difficulty walking outdoors have lower life-space mobility than Canadian older adults, based on scores on the Life-Space Assessment. For older adults with difficulty walking outdoors, rehabilitation professionals could consider performance on the 10-metre walk test (comfortable speed), 30-second sit-to-stand, and the mini-BESTest combined to best reflect life-space mobility.