Lifestyle Changes in the Prevention of Mobility Disability

The prevention of functional decline with aging is essential for maintaining independent mobility for daily living and community access. The onset of mobility disability may be progressive or catastrophic in nature. Self-reported and performance-based clinical measures can be valuable for identifying the onset of mobility disability. Identification of modifiable lifestyle factors and preclinical predictors of mobility disability can be utilized in preventive care. Modifiable lifestyle factors related to mobility disability include physical activity (PA) level, smoking, nutrition, and body mass index (BMI). Age-related comorbid conditions including cardiovascular health, sarcopenia, metabolic dysregulation, cognitive impairment, and multi-morbidity influence the trajectory of decline toward mobility disability. This clinical review summarizes current knowledge about the onset and prevention of mobility disability, reviews intervention studies related to decreasing the risk for mobility disability, and provides suggestions for clinicians related to predicting and preventing mobility disability in older adults. Special attention is given to useful clinical measures, modifiable lifestyle factors, and delivering care in the context of age-related comorbid conditions in older adults.