{"id":6445,"date":"2019-09-19T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T19:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arch.tamu.edu.staging2.juiceboxint.com\/news\/2019\/09\/19\/poorly-maintained-walking-surfaces-hinder-elderly-fitness\/"},"modified":"2023-04-04T10:56:25","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T15:56:25","slug":"poorly-maintained-walking-surfaces-hinder-elderly-fitness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/news\/2019\/09\/19\/poorly-maintained-walking-surfaces-hinder-elderly-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"Poorly maintained walking surfaces hinder elderly fitness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Uneven walking surfaces, incomplete sidewalks, and broken steps are small matters to most pedestrians \u2014 but to the elderly, they can be major barriers that have a significant, negative impact on their overall health, said Chanam Lee, Texas A&M professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"ChanamChanam Lee<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Lee is part of a team of scholars that published its findings<\/a> on the topic in a September 2019 edition of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur study found that older pedestrians were more likely to fall when they encounter substandard walking surfaces,\u201d said Lee. \u201cAfter a fall, the elderly tend to have ongoing restricted outdoor mobility, decreased physical activity, social withdrawal and a loss of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s findings suggest that safe, well-maintained outdoor environments may help prevent falls and encourage older adults to engage in social activities, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhysicians should be aware of older patients\u2019 environments and take them into account when recommending increased exercise,\u201d said Lee. \u201cAlso, family members can help prevent falls by cautiously monitoring outdoor environments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Urban planning and city works departments can also help by promoting safe neighborhoods and maintaining the quality of sidewalks and street surfaces, said Lee.<\/p>\n

She conducted the study with collaborators Sungmin Lee, an assistant professor of plant science and landscape architecture at the University of Connecticut who earned a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences<\/a> at Texas A&M in 2017, and Marcia Ory, director of the Texas A&M *Center for Population Health & Aging.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Sungmin<\/p>\n

Sungmin Lee<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

For more information, contact rnira@arch.tamu.edu<\/a> or doswald@tamu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

*This link is no longer active and has been removed.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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