Can You Ride a Bicycle? The Ability to Ride a Bicycle Prevents Reduced Social Function in Older Adults With Mobility Limitation
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- Sakurai Ryota
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
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- Kawai Hisashi
- Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Yoshida Hideyo
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Fukaya Taro
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Suzuki Hiroyuki
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Kim Hunkyung
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Hirano Hirohiko
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Ihara Kazushige
- Department of Public Health, Toho University School of Medicine
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- Obuchi Shuichi
- Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Fujiwara Yoshinori
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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Abstract
Background: The health benefits of bicycling in older adults with mobility limitation (ML) are unclear. We investigated ML and functional capacity of older cyclists by evaluating their instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), intellectual activity, and social function.<BR>Methods: On the basis of interviews, 614 community-dwelling older adults (after excluding 63 participants who never cycled) were classified as cyclists with ML, cyclists without ML, non-cyclists with ML (who ceased bicycling due to physical difficulties), or non-cyclists without ML (who ceased bicycling for other reasons). A cyclist was defined as a person who cycled at least a few times per month, and ML was defined as difficulty walking 1 km or climbing stairs without using a handrail. Functional capacity and physical ability were evaluated by standardized tests.<BR>Results: Regular cycling was documented in 399 participants, and 74 of them (18.5%) had ML; among non-cyclists, 49 had ML, and 166 did not. Logistic regression analysis for evaluating the relationship between bicycling and functional capacity revealed that non-cyclists with ML were more likely to have reduced IADL and social function compared to cyclists with ML. However, logistic regression analysis also revealed that the risk of bicycle-related falls was significantly associated with ML among older cyclists.<BR>Conclusions: The ability and opportunity to bicycle may prevent reduced IADL and social function in older adults with ML, although older adults with ML have a higher risk of falls during bicycling. It is important to develop a safe environment for bicycling for older adults.
Journal
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- Journal of Epidemiology
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Journal of Epidemiology 26 (6), 307-314, 2016
Japan Epidemiological Association