SUMMER HEAT AND OUTDOOR MOBILITY BEHAVIOUR AMONG OLDER ADULTS A Case Study in Gothenburg, Sweden

Sammanfattning

This study investigates how summer heat conditions influence outdoor mobility among older adults in Gothenburg, Sweden. Older adults are considered a vulnerable group during warmer periods but less is known about how heat affects their daily movement behaviour. This study aimed to analyse outdoor mobility, distance travel, and spatial movement patterns among older adults during the summer months. The study period took place from May 1st to August 31st, 2025. The study used GPS points, daily diaries, and indoor temperature measurements collected from participants, as well as weather data from SMHI. Lastly, GIS analysis was used to visualise the results. In total, 19 participants aged 65 years or older were included. Outdoor movement was analysed in relation to daily maximum temperature, with a specific focus on days above and below 25°C.The results show that outdoor mobility decreased slightly when temperatures exceeded 25°C. The difference was relatively small, indicating that temperature alone did not explain variations in movement. Differences were also observed between participant groups. Men, younger older adults, cohabiting participants, and those not identifying as part of a risk group generally travelled longer distances. Indoor temperatures were often higher than outdoor temperatures and increased during warmer periods, showing that indoor heat exposure may also affect behaviour. The spatial analysis showed that movement was mainly concentrated in central Gothenburg and in a limited number of green areas. Movement within green areas was especially visible around Slottsskogen, Änggårdskolonin, and several smaller parks. Overall, the findings suggest that older adults do not completely avoid outdoor activity during warmer conditions but instead seem to adjust their mobility patterns. Access to shaded and green environments may therefore be important for supporting outdoor mobility among older adults during warmer summer periods.