As we get older, mobility can become an issue. However, a new study has found that having a pleasant environment nearby encourages older people to walk more and reduces their risk of developing walking difficulties.

Researchers followed the progress of over 260 people, aged between 75 and 81, over a three-year period. None of the participants had any difficulties walking 500 metres at the beginning of the study, however during the study period, almost half of them developed some sort of problems with walking this distance.

The study found that the environment seemed to play a role. Environmental facilitators nearby, i.e. lots of green areas and walking routes, appeared to protect against problems developing.

In fact, those who had more environmental facilitators nearby had a reduced risk of developing walking difficulties.

"The results of the study indicate that the mobility of older community-dwelling people may be promoted with a green environment and outdoor recreational facilities that are easy to access and located within a walking distance from home," the Finnish researchers said.

They added that this appears to be because older people who have these facilities nearby ‘are more physically active and thus more likely to maintain good walking ability'.

Details of these findings are published in the European Journal of Ageing.