Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG90/4

Question

People with limited mobility:- How effective and cost effective are environmental changes to increase physical activity among people with limited mobility because of either enduring or life-stage specific factors (for example, small children, parents with prams or buggies, disabled people including those with sensory
impairments and learning disabilities, older people, people with dementia and their carers)? Are effects maintained over time?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- People who do little physical activity benefit most from becoming more active, and this may include people with limited mobility. But we found very little evidence on interventions specifically targeting them.
Longitudinal research is needed on environmental interventions specifically targeting those with limited mobility, with a follow-up period of at least a year, and preferably with a matched control group.  Objective measures of physical activity are valuable even if increasing activity is not a focus
of the intervention.
Research is also needed to determine other factors affecting the observed results. This includes variation in the effectiveness of interventions among people with different needs, for example those with sensory impairments and learning disabilities. Interventions might include:
- audio-visual announcements on public transport services and at stops or stations
- changes to the design of pedestrian crossings, for example increasing the length of time given for crossing
- solutions to allow comfortable use of contested space by various groups, including those with limited mobility.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Physical activity and the environment

Number

NG90

Date issued

March 2018

Other details