Grant: Project Grant

The ability to safely and independently move in one's environment is important for health, quality of life, and wellbeing. For example, older adults who have difficulty walking two to three blocks are in poorer health and have lower levels of overall functioning than those who do not report such difficulty. The prevention and treatment of mobility disability is a major health care and global research objective. Regular physical activity keeps people healthy and mobile. Recent research show that increasing physical activity by at least 50 minutes per week can positively impact mobility and prevent disability in at risk older adults. However, many older Canadians are physically inactive, particularly those with limited mobility (e.g., slow walking, difficultly rising from a chair). Fortunately, there is clear evidence that shows health coaching, which focuses on goal setting and action planning, can increase physical activity participation in older adults. Health coaching is an attractive strategy as it may have lower cost and greater convenience than traditional healthcare services. Whether health coaching can positively impact physical activity behaviour and improve mobility in older adults with limited mobility is currently unknown. We aim to address this knowledge gap by conducting a 6-month study of health coaching in community-dwelling adults, aged 70 to 89 years old, with limited mobility. Given the immense health and financial burden imposed by limited mobility and mobility disability, our proposed study could have major benefits. The results will guide future strategies to positively shape the path of mobility in aging.