【Senior Awareness Survey】Nearly 90% Fear Losing the Ability to Walk in the Future: Real Concerns About Falls and Mobility Changes Revealed by 1,524 Seniors

CosmoLab, a senior-specialized marketing platform (Company: Cosmo Health Co., Ltd., Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takashi Kotsuka), has released a report on a survey regarding seniors' awareness of 'walking'.

This report surveyed individuals aged 50 and over on their daily walking duration, changes in walking ability, frequency of going out, future concerns about mobility, and habits they maintain to continue walking actively. Although many seniors are still able to walk today, a large number expressed strong anxiety about the future, highlighting the importance of small daily efforts and preparedness.

Senior-focused marketing service [CosmoLab] official website

https://cosmolab.jp/lp/research/

Survey Highlights

◆ Many seniors walk regularly, but a significant portion feel reduced stamina

Daily walking time is primarily '10–30 minutes' (31.5%) and '30 minutes to 1 hour' (29.8%). However, when combining responses of 'slightly less stamina' (33.7%) and 'significantly less stamina' (16.7%), half of respondents reported feeling a decline in walking endurance.

◆ Future anxieties about falls and reduced mobility outweigh current physical discomforts

Most respondents reported they can 'cross the street comfortably' (75.3%) and their frequency of going out has 'not changed' (61.1%), indicating that many are not currently facing major mobility challenges. Nevertheless, future concerns are high: 'worried about falling and getting injured' (50.7%) and 'worried about not being able to walk for long periods' (50.1%) were top responses, showing strong anxiety about losing current abilities.

◆ Strong awareness of maintaining mobility, with moderate willingness to spend

Top activities for staying active include 'exercise/stretching' (55.4%) and 'walking' (51.6%). Moreover, 46.0% said they would be willing to pay up to ¥10,000 if it helped reduce walking anxiety and extend their walking ability, indicating a certain level of willingness to invest in maintaining mobility.

1. How much do you walk each day? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

Daily walking time is highest for '10–30 minutes' (31.5%), followed by '30 minutes to 1 hour' (29.8%). '1 hour or more' (17.5%) is also notable, while 'less than 10 minutes' (10.6%) and 'hardly walk at all' (10.6%) are in the minority.

Most seniors are not completely inactive and maintain some level of walking in daily life. However, differences in activity levels are apparent, showing a polarization between those who walk habitually and those who only move minimally.

2. Do you feel you have less stamina when walking compared to before? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

The majority responded 'no change' (39.7%), but combining 'slightly less stamina' (33.7%) and 'significantly less stamina' (16.7%) shows that half of respondents feel reduced walking endurance. Only 7.2% feel they have more stamina than before.

Even if not an immediate serious issue, the fact that many notice differences from the past is significant. The decline in walking ability is perceived as gradual rather than sudden, making it a topic that can easily prompt early preventive actions.

3. What do you consciously pay attention to when walking? (Multiple answers allowed) (Valid respondents: 1,524)

'Keeping my back straight' (61.0%) stands out, followed by 'being careful not to fall' (49.7%) and 'trying to take wider steps' (34.4%). Only 9.8% said they 'don't consciously pay attention to anything'.

Walking is not an unconscious act but is highly controlled consciously. The high awareness of posture and fall prevention suggests that for seniors, walking is not only about health maintenance but also about ensuring safety.

4. Can you cross the street while the light is still green? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

Most respondents said they can 'cross comfortably' (75.3%), followed by 'can cross if I hurry a little' (18.4%). Only a small number reported 'sometimes feel anxious' (5.4%) or 'sometimes cannot finish crossing' (0.9%).

While many currently maintain basic mobility, the ability to cross with ease is an indicator that affects future confidence. Because issues are still minor, this is an area where awareness of maintenance and preparedness is easily fostered.

5. How has your frequency of going out changed recently? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

The highest response was 'no change' (61.1%), followed by 'slightly decreased' (17.1%), 'increased compared to before' (14.9%), and 'significantly decreased' (6.9%). Major reductions in outings are in the minority.

This means that, at present, walking anxiety does not directly lead to reduced outings. However, since a certain number of people are gradually going out less, declining confidence in walking may be an early sign of shrinking activity range in the future.

6. How do you feel about stairs? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

The most common response was 'feel safe if there is a handrail' (46.7%), followed by 'can go up and down without issues' (43.6%). Only a few said they 'prefer to avoid if possible' (7.9%) or 'try to avoid using them' (1.8%).

While not everyone finds stairs difficult, the largest group feels reassured only when support is available. This suggests that heightened awareness of fall risks and instability comes before actual physical decline.

7. What future concerns do you have about walking? (Multiple answers allowed) (Valid respondents: 1,524)

Top concerns include 'worried about falling and getting injured' (50.7%) and 'worried about not being able to walk for long' (50.1%). Other concerns include 'worried about not being able to travel' (23.2%) and 'worried about needing a cane or mobility aid' (22.2%).

The anxiety about losing current abilities is far stronger than concerns about current inconveniences. Maintaining walking ability is clearly linked not only to mobility but also to preserving freedom in daily life, hobbies, and travel.

8. What do you consciously do to keep walking actively in the future? (Multiple answers allowed) (Valid respondents: 1,524)

Top responses include 'exercise/stretching' (55.4%) and 'walking' (51.6%), followed by 'strength training' (21.5%), 'doing nothing in particular' (15.7%), and 'attending a gym or class' (13.6%).

The dominant approach is methods that can be sustained without strain in daily life. Rather than intense training, care integrated into daily routines is preferred. It appears that seniors recognize that 'habits that are easy to maintain' are more important than special exercises for preserving walking ability.

9. How anxious are you about losing the ability to walk in the future? (Valid respondents: 1,524)

Anxiety about losing walking ability is 'very anxious' for 50.3%—nearly half—and combined with 'somewhat anxious' (37.9%), about 90% express some level of concern. 'Not anxious'