Drivers Are More Physically Active Than Non-Drivers in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Transportation Studies

Background:

• Car use is often classified as sedentary behavior.
• However, driving may improve mobility, especially for older adults.
• Understanding the relationship between driving and physical activity is crucial for aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) levels between older drivers and non-drivers.
• To investigate the impact of driving on objectively measured activity patterns in older adults.
• To identify factors influencing the association between driving and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 450 Japanese older adults (mean age 74.3 years).
• Objective measurement of sedentary behavior and physical activity using accelerometers over 7 days.
• Statistical analysis using analysis of covariance to compare activity time, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Older drivers spent significantly more time in light-intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than non-drivers.
• Older drivers exhibited significantly less sedentary behavior (SB) compared to non-drivers.
• The positive effect of driving on PA was more pronounced in older-older adults, men, and rural residents.

Conclusions:

• Older drivers are more physically active and less sedentary than their non-driving peers.
• Driving may facilitate greater engagement in outdoor activities and social networks for older adults.
• Promoting driving or alternative mobility solutions could be key to enhancing physical activity in the elderly population.