Mobility Scooter Use and the Physical Functioning of Older

Adults

Roselle ThoreauUniversity College London (UCL)

United Kingdom

Some of the main benefits of being physically active are:

Maintain better health

Stay more mobile for longer

Live longer

Maintain independence

Walking

The most common form of physical activity adults over 65 partake in.A brisk walking pace is linked to a reduced risk of premature death BUT only 16% of adults over 65 regularly walk at this pace.When walking becomes more difficult people turn to

Mobility Aids

Canes

Walking frames

Mobility Scooters

How do the health and capabilities of people who use different mobility

aids (or are unaided) differ?

Is the rate of decline between these groups different over time?

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)

Multi-stage stratified random sample2002 – 2009: Waves 1 – 4Participants are 50+ in 2002.

Our sample65yrs + (Wave 1)Divided into

Scooter usersCane usersNo mobility device users

Wave 1 - 2002

Scooter use is low – 1.4%

The average age of scooter users is 76

Scooters are not used in isolation

78% also used a cane17% also used a walker

Changes over time: Chair rises

Between the two tests (4 years) scooter users become significantly slower over time when compared to the other groups

Proportional Change between Wave 2 and Wave 4

Scooter 28% slower

Cane 3% faster

Unaided 5% slower

Percentage in each user group able to complete tests during each wave

Scooter Cane Unaided0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Wave 2Wave 4

Changes over time: Walking

Proportional change in walking speed between Wave 1 and Wave 4

Scooter 12% slower

Cane 32% slower

Unaided 21% slower

Scooter users are less likely to complete the test

Scooter Cane Unaided0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Wave 1Wave 4

Percentage of users able to complete tests

Changes over time: Lung Function (FVC)

Proportional change in FVC between Wave 2 and Wave 4

Scooter 92%

Cane 94%

Unaided 96%

Scooter Cane Unaided70

75

80

85

90

95

Wave 2Wave 4

Percentage of users able to complete tests

Changes over time: Grip StrengthDominant and Non-Dominant HandsScooter users lose more grip strength over time than any other groups in both hands

Proportional change in grip strength between Wave 2 and Wave 4

Dominant Scooter 84%

Cane 88%

Unaided 91%

Non Dominant Scooter 91%

Cane 87%

Unaided 91%

Scooter Cane Unaided0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Wave 2 Wave 4

Percentage of users able to complete tests

Changes over time: BMI

In Wave 2: there are no significant differences in BMI between scooter users and other groupsIn Wave 4: there is a significant difference in the BMI of non aided and scooter users and cane users

Mean BMI scores

Wave 2 Wave 4

Scooter 30 32

Cane 30 29

Unaided 27 27

BMI SCORE

Normal Weight = 18.5 – 24.9

Overweight = 25 – 29.9

Obese = 30 or greater

Conclusion

All capabilities lessen over timeScooter users lose the mostScooters users have the highest rates of inability to complete (in single waves and over time)

Scooter use may accelerate frailty, mobility difficulties and further disability

Mobility Scooters replace walking

THAT IS THEIR PURPOSE

BUT

Potential users should be made aware of both the negative and the positive effects of using scooters before they make a

decision to use

Further Research

Measuring new scooter users against unaided counterparts with similar capabilities

Understand the behavioral reasons for scooter uptake

Examining the types and mode of journeys made pre and post scooter uptake

Thank you for listening

Roselle ThoreauDept for Civil, Environmental and Geomatic EngineeringUniversity College London (UCL)London, England

r.thoreau@ucl.ac.uk

References

Bohannon, R.W., Bear-Lehman, J., Desrosiers, J., Massy-Westropp, N. And Mathiowetz, V (2007) Average Grip Strength: A meta-analysis of data obtained with a Jamar dynamometer from individuals 75 years or more of age. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 30(1)

Department of Health. (2002). Health Survey for England 2000: The health of older people. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_4008793