Worsening sleep predicts lower life space mobility during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Background Poor sleep health is an understudied yet potentially modifiable risk factor for reduced life space mobility (LSM), defined as one's habitual movement throughout a community. The objective of this study was to determine whether recalled changes in sleep traits (e.g., sleep quality, refreshing sleep, sleep problems, and difficulty falling asleep) because of the COVID‐19 pandemic were associated with LSM in older adults. Methods Data were obtained from a University of Florida‐administered study conducted in May and June of 2020 (n = 923). Linear regression models were used to assess the impact of COVID‐related change in sleep traits with summary scores from the Life Space Assessment. Analyses were adjusted for demographic, mental, and physical health characteristics, COVID‐related avoidant behaviors, and pre‐COVID sleep ratings. Results In unadjusted models, reporting that any sleep trait got “a lot worse” or “a little worse” was associated with a decrease in LSM (all p