Health conditions, health symptoms and driving difficulties in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research has indicated that age-related medical or health conditions can affect driving performance in older adults but little, if any, research has examined the mechanisms through which health conditions affect driving difficulties in older adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, correlational study.


METHODS
Random sample from the community. We examined the nature of the relations among health conditions, health-related symptoms, physical fitness levels and specific types of self-reported driving difficulties in a random sample of older adults.


METHODS
Three hundred eighteen adults 60 years of age or older.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
General health, health-related symptoms, driving-related difficulties and physical activity.


RESULTS
Our findings support the position that health-related symptoms are more clearly associated with driving difficulties than are health conditions, and mediate the relations between health conditions and driving difficulties. Health-related symptoms involving the spine and lower body appeared to be particularly relevant to difficulties with driving experienced in those body areas (i.e. spine and lower body).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are encouraging, in that the most frequently reported symptoms are in areas highly amenable to modification and, in that most of our respondents indicated a willingness to engage in exercise if an association between fitness and driving was demonstrated.
Tuokko
Holly A
HA
Centre on Aging, Sedgewick Building Rm A104, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada. htuokko@uvic.ca
Rhodes
Ryan E
RE
Dean
Rachel
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology