Acceptable walking and cycling distances and functional disability and mortality in older Japanese adults: An 8-year follow-up study

We prospectively investigated the association between acceptable travel distances (i.e., walking and cycling) and the incidence of functional disability and mortality among older Japanese adults. A baseline survey was con-ducted in 2013 among 7618 individuals aged >= 65 years in Kasama City, Japan, and they were tracked through the city's database until 2021. Acceptable travel distances were assessed using a questionnaire. Outcomes (i.e., functional disability and mortality) were gathered as binary (incident or not) with survival time. A multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards model indicated that shorter acceptable walking and cycling distances were markedly linked with higher risks of functional disability and mortality. In conclusion, acceptable distances of <500 m for walking and <1 km for cycling were associated with higher risks of functional disability and mortality among older adults.

Automated summary

We conducted a prospective study to investigate the relationship between acceptable travel distances (walking and cycling) and the incidence of functional disability and mortality among older Japanese adults. A baseline survey was conducted in 2013 among 7618 individuals aged >= 65 years in Kasama City, Japan, with follow-up until 2021. Shorter acceptable walking and cycling distances were found to be significantly associated with higher risks of functional disability and mortality, according to a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards model. In conclusion, acceptable distances of <500 m for walking and <1 km for cycling were associated with increased risks of functional disability and mortality among older adults.