Interventions in the Elderly’s Mobility Modes for Promotion of their Physical Activity and Fitness

Background While studies show that regular physical activity improves mortality rates and functional ability among elderly people, older people tend to be more dependent on car and public transportation than non-motorized modes of transportation. Shifting travel from motorized modes to walking is a promising strategy to combat diseases such as obesity, diabetes, & cardiovascular problems. However, the objective evidence connecting physical activity of the elderly is not consistent across European countries Objectives 1. Providing the state-of-the-art of the relationships between the daily mobility of the elderly of more than 60 years, their perceptions, the built environment, & socioeconomics with their PA and fitness in 6 European countries.2. Producing reliable disaggregate data & models generated in 6 countries. 3. Shortening the time that the results of academic studies reach the hands of policymakers.4. Filling the gap between research results with the seniors with more than 60 years of age. Implementation Fit-Old was implemented by using the data collected about 1018 seniors in 6 countries (baseline survey). The follow-up data collection was undertaken with a sample of 327 individuals, who took part in the intervention (changing daily mobility mode from car to walking). The results including the changes in the PA and fitness in relation with mobility, perceptions, and land use were summarized in journal papers and were presented to policymakers by email and to end-users in multiplier events. Achievements 1.Baseline dataset including the questionnaire results of 1018 subjects2.Follow-up dataset including 327 subjects and the results of their self-reported questionnaires, 2-min-step-in-place test, accelerometer results, & land use3.Submitting 6 journal papers to high impact factor international journals4.Sending brochures including the results of the project to 1461 policymakers in 6 countries5.Holding informative multiplier events for 600 elderly in 6 countries (257 male and 343 female)