Development a method for selecting an effective exercise program based on the neighborhood environment for community-dwelling older adults

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19406
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Kitasato University (2021-2022); Hirosaki University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: ANDO Masataka 北里大学, 医療衛生学部, 助教 (90844431)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / 介護予防 / 運動能力 / 近隣環境

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study was conducted to identify neighborhood environmental factors that contribute to the selection of effective support methods for maintaining and improving physical function in community-dwelling older adults. Six hundred and twenty-four independent older adults were administered several physical function tests and neighborhood environment questionnaires at baseline and one year. Results showed that neighborhood recreational facilities and safety from crime were significantly related to physical function (especially mobility). These findings suggest that it may be important to select mobility support programs according to the characteristics of the neighborhood environment surrounding older adults.

Free Research Field

老年学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高齢者の運動能力に対する支援策は，主に対象者の個人的属性に基づき選択されてきた．一方，高齢者の健康には，個人的属性という内的要因のみでなく，近隣環境などの外的要因も影響する．よって，運動能力に対する支援策に関しても，近隣環境を含む包括的な評価結果に基づきプログラムが選択されるべきである．本研究課題では，近隣における運動施設（物的環境）と，犯罪に対する安全性（社会環境）の両者が運動能力（特に移動能力）と横断的・縦断的に関係することを明らかにした．これによって，運動能力低下者（またはリスク者）を層別化し，かつ移動能力支援のためのプログラム選択を行う際の有益な資料を提供できたものと考える．