Cross-sectional study of individual and environmental factors associated with life-space mobility among community-dwelling independent older people

Background Life-space mobility is reflected in comprehensive longevity and health outcomes and is also an important indicator for preventing mortality and decline in well-being among older people. However, a comprehensive framework of life-space mobility and modifiable individual and environmental factors has not been well validated among community-dwelling independent older people, for primary prevention. We examined individual and environmental factors affecting life-space mobility among community-dwelling independent older people. Methods This cross-sectional study included 3500 community-dwelling independent older people randomly selected using the National Basic Resident Registration System in Japan. Life-space mobility was measured using the Japanese version of the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) instrument, which is used to assess an individual's pattern of mobility. Negative multivariate binomial regression analysis was performed in a final sample of 1258 people. Individual factors (including physical, mental, and social characteristics) and environmental factors (including the social and material environment) were measured and analyzed as potential factors. Results Negative multivariable binomial regression analysis, adjusted for demographics, showed that LSA score was associated with locomotive syndrome (beta = - 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 0.24 to - 0.73), depression (beta = - 0.29, 95% CI = - 0.03 to - 0.55), health literacy (beta = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.39-0.01), and participation in community activities (beta = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.03-0.43) among individual factors, and receipt of social support (beta = - 0.19, 95% CI = 0.00 to - 0.38) and social network (beta = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.48-0.10) among environmental factors. Conclusions Our findings suggest that modifiable individual factors and environmental factors are related to life-space mobility among community-dwelling older people.