Maintaining mobility is a key component of healthy aging, directly influencing independence, safety, and overall quality of life. As people age, declines in mobility can lead to serious consequences—including increased risk of falls, disability, and loss of autonomy.
This research explored how various sociodemographic factors influence mobility changes over time in older adults. Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the study analyzed mobility trends in nearly 4,000 adults aged 65 and older over a six-year period. Mobility was measured using two widely recognized physical performance tests: the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 4-Meter Walk Test (4MWT).
The research found a strong and consistent relationship between the two mobility tests. Several sociodemographic characteristics—including age, gender, marital status, income, education level, housing situation, and ethnicity—were significantly linked to mobility decline. Both modifiable (e.g. income, education, housing) and non-modifiable (e.g. age, birthplace) factors played a role in shaping mobility outcomes. The study underscored the need for nuanced aging policies that support mobility in older adults, considering sociodemographic inequalities.
Dr. Ogochukwu Onyeso is a population health researcher with a focus on ageing, mobility, long-term care and the social determinants of health. He recently completed a PhD in Population Studies in Health at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, where he was awarded the prestigious Governor General of Canada’s Academic Gold Medal and the Medal of Merit from the School of Graduate Studies. He is also a fellow of the Consortium on Analytics for Data-Driven Decision-Making (CAnD3).
With a background in clinical and population health sciences, Dr. Onyeso holds a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation and master’s degree in Physiotherapy. He has co-authored more than 45 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals, advancing scholarship at the intersection of epidemiology, health equity, and gerontology. His doctoral research, “Sociodemographic Determinants of Mobility Limitation among Older Adults in Canada and Nigeria,” utilized a multimethod design: systematic review and meta-analysis, secondary analyses of large-scale datasets (including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the Ibadan Study on Ageing), and qualitative inquiry. This work contributes to understanding cross-national disparities in ageing and mobility, with implications for policy and practice in both high- and middle-income contexts.
