Older adults who walk in their neighbourhood with greater street connectivity are reported to have lower limb physical performance decline. There is limited information regarding the association between built environment characteristics and physical performance in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between built environment characteristics, physical performance, falls risk and functional mobility among older adults. Sixty four (27 men and 37 women) community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above (mean 67.4 ± 7.1 years) from senior citizen clubs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. Built environment characteristics were assessed using an adapted Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical performance and falls risk was measured using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Profile Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) respectively. Timed Up and Go (TUG) and gait speed tests were used to assess functional mobility. There was a significant correlation between built environment and physical performance (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and functional mobility measured using gait speed test (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) among older adults. Built environment was identified as a significant determinant of physical performance (R 2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). Built environment characteristics is an important external factor in preserving physical performance in older adults. Programmes and policies for a more favourable built environment characteristics in the neighbourhoods should be encouraged to promote and maintain physical performance among older adults.

Jatuh merupakan salah satu masalah utama dalam kalangan warga emas yang secara tidak langsung menyumbang kepada kemerosotan kualiti hidup, morbiditi dan kematian. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji perbezaan pencapaian ujian Timed Up and Go (TUG) dan kelajuan berjalan dalam kalangan warga emas di komuniti dengan risiko jatuh yang tinggi dan rendah, menggunakan Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Kajian keratan rentas ini melibatkan 278 orang warga emas berumur di antara 60-88 tahun dari kelab warga emas di sekitar Lembah Klang. 40.6% warga emas mempunyai risiko jatuh tinggi dan kebanyakkan adalah perempuan (75%). Terdapat perbezaan signifikan (p < 0.001) dalam pencapaian ujian TUG dan kelajuan berjalan antara golongan warga emas yang berisiko jatuh yang tinggi dan rendah. Penurunan mobiliti (masa ujian TUG yang lebih lama) dan peningkatan umur telah dikenal pasti sebagai faktor risiko yang signifikan (p < 0.05) bagi jatuh dalam kajian ini. Nilai rujukan yang diperoleh untuk ujian TUG daripada kajian ini dapat dimanfaatkan untuk mengenal pasti warga emas di komuniti dengan risiko jatuh, pada fasa yang lebih awal serta membolehkan pengelakkan dan pengurusan jatuh. Kata kunci: Jatuh; warga emas; physiological profile assessment; timed up and go (TUG); kelajuan berjalan ABSTRACT Falls is one of the main problems in older adults, which indirectly contributes to deterioration of quality of life, morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in values between Timed Up and Go (TUG) and gait speed tests among community dwelling older adults with high and low risk of falls classified using PPA (Physiological Profile Assessment). This cross-sectional study involved 278 older adults aged between 60 to 88 years, recruited from senior citizen club around Klang Valley. 40.6% older adults had high risk of falls and mostly were women (75%). The results of the study showed that there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in TUG and Gait speed tests performance between older adults with high and low risk of falls. Declined mobility (longer time of TUG test) and increased age were identified as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for falls in this study. The TUG test reference values obtained in this study may be useful for early identification, prevention and management of falls among community dwelling older adults.