Using GPS to examine active transportation patterns among people aging with mobility disabilities

Introduction: We used data from Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to describe active transportation (AT) and recreational walking (RW; i.e. in a park) trips among older adults with mobility disabilities (i.e. that use assistive devices). Little is known about these patterns in this growing segment of the population.

Methods: Participants (N = 35; Mean age = 67, 30 white, 26 females) wore a Qstarz BT1000XT GPS device for 3 days. Data were processed and analyzed using the Physical Activity Location Measurement System (PALMS; UCSD) and Global Information Systems (GIS) from which we classified trips as vehicle, AT or RW. We compared Walkscore.com values (based on their home address as a proxy for built environment walkability) for those using vehicle trips to those with an active trip (AT or WFR) from their home.

Results: Among participants with usable GPS data (N = 28), 25% (N = 7) used AT and another 21% (N = 6) did RW. Of AT and RW trips, 39% used a vehicle to get to a destination where they then made their active trip. Participants whose active trip was from home had higher walkscores (mean = 82) than those who did not (mean = 66; p = .05).

Conclusions: People with mobility disabilities are able to use active modes of transportation, particularly when the built environment is supportive. It was fairly common to use a non-home neighborhood environment for an active transit trip or walk though the majority used their local neighborhood near home to make active trips.