Physical activity, built environment, and functional limitations in older adults: A social-ecological perspective

• Applicant: Dr. Florian Herbolsheimer
• Subject Area: Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 398948032

Regular physical activity is essential for the health and quality of life in old age. However, to what extent older adults are physically active is not only the result of individual habits and attitudes but is also shaped by the environmental context. The research proposal will investigate the associations between the built environment and physical activity in older adults. Following the Person-Environment fit model, older adults with functional limitations should be more vulnerable to the built environments as their capabilities to cope with environmental demands are restricted. In contrast, social support might motivate physically restricted persons to be physically active and serve as a facilitator. The research project will complement perceived environmental characteristics with objective geographic data retrieved from a geographic information system. Four districts respectively from two countries (Canada and the USA) are included to take factors into account that can alter the relationship between physical limitations, physical environment, and physical activity.The research questions will be answered using data from the CIHR study by Prof Chaudhury (my proposed mentor at Simon Fraser University, Canada). The study provides a unique opportunity to examine in comparative analyses four urban districts in Vancouver (Canada) and Portland (USA).The proposed research will be conceptually informed by a social-ecological perspective, studying the complex interrelations between individual and built environmental factors. The project will contribute to the understanding of how changes in the built environment could reduce barriers for older adults with functional limitations leading to increased physical activity.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Habib Chaudhury, Ph.D.