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A systematic framework for understanding environmental design influences on physical activity in the elderly population: A review of literature

Arsalan Gharaveis (Johnston LLC, Houston, Texas, USA)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 21 February 2020

Issue publication date: 3 September 2020

1283

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize the published literature regarding the impact of environmental design on the improvement of elderly residents’ physical activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To provide convergent evidence about the association between facility design/management and physical activity of elderly population, searches were conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, as well as in specific active living design journals such as Applied Gerontology, Aging and Physical Activity, Housing for the Elderly and Sports Sciences. The inclusion criteria for the final list were the articles that were qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies as well as systematic reviews; written in English; related to the built environmental design; wholly or partially focused on physical activity in elderly population; and published in peer-reviewed journals between 1984 and 2019.

Findings

Overall, 30 studies were included in the final list. The results of this review demonstrate that design interventions can raise physical functioning inside and outside of long-term residential facilities. Increasing opportunities for walkable spaces and reducing physical barriers can result in higher levels of physical activity for the elderly population.

Research limitations/implications

This systematic review discloses the design strategies to enhance the level of physical activity by the elderly population based on the findings of the published literature. Overall space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces were addressed to generally promote the moderate levels of physical activity in elderly population.

Practical implications

Increasing opportunities for walkable spaces and reducing physical barriers result in higher level of activity for the elderly population. Corridor design and interior design ergonomic considerations were highlighted in the literature. Space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces promote the moderate levels of physical activity.

Social implications

Environmental design considerations are unique aspects of enhancement of activity level in the elderly population.

Originality/value

This systematic review discloses the design strategies to enhance the level of physical activity by the elderly population based on the findings of the published literature. Overall space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces were addressed to generally promote the moderate levels of physical activity in elderly population.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the support of: Dr Shahrokh Shafaei and Michael Heath, professors at Southeast Missouri State University; staff at Carbondale Amtrak station, and TSA employees at Cape Girardeau airport.

This paper forms part of special section “Housing for people with special needs”, guest edited by Knut Boge.

Citation

Gharaveis, A. (2020), "A systematic framework for understanding environmental design influences on physical activity in the elderly population: A review of literature", Facilities, Vol. 38 No. 9/10, pp. 625-649. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-08-2018-0094

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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