Does the purchase of a mobility scooter alter physical activity levels in older adults?

Conclusions: It is unlikely that changes in physical activity were related to the ageing process given the relatively short time span of the study. Thus it can be inferred that participants viewed their mobility scooter as a vehicle for maintaining their lifestyle rather than as a means to seek out additional activities. Improvements to perceived quality of life may be attributed to continuing or furthering community and social engagement, and a sense of retained independence. Implications for rehabilitation An awareness of possible changes in physical activity associated with the purchase of a mobility scooter is needed. The purchase of a mobility scooter provides a viable means of transport to facilitate access to physical activity situations. Over-reliance on a mobility scooter has the potential to decrease health-related physical activity. The development and dissemination of a targeted health message about maintaining (or improving) physical activity levels is warranted to increase the awareness in this growing group of new, and current, mobility scooter riders in an increasingly ageing population. PMID: 31157578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology. - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Source Type: research