Grant: Project Grant

Background: Older adults need to be able to walk around their community at a minimal speed in order to ensure their safety. Slowing of walking speed occurs with aging in all persons, and has been linked to decreased independence. Preclinical disability is a stage where older adults begin to change the way they complete mobility tasks, like walking. Programs to improve mobility in people with preclinical disability need to encourage participants to be actively involved in managing their mobility (self-management), should be specifically developed for the individual and should include the practice of mobility tasks. In 2016, we conducted a pilot study to measure the impact of a mobility self-management intervention on the walking ability of older adults, but the results were not clear. In this proposal, we have made some changes to improve the study design and the intervention. Goals, Methods, Approach: We plan to study whether community-dwelling adults 55 years and older with preclinical mobility limitations show improvement in walking distance, walking speed, balance, strength, confidence in their walking and health after completing a 12-week program, called STEPPING-UP, that includes mobility exercises and self-management sessions led by a physiotherapist. This program will be compared to 2 control groups, either a 12-week telephone-based coaching walking program or a 12-week stretching program. We will also compare the cost associated with delivering each program. Expected Outcomes: If the results from this study are positive, it will support the importance of identifying those at risk for mobility related disability and will provide a community-based resource for the prevention of mobility decline in older adults.