Route complexity negatively influences wayfinding performance in terms of route efficiency and walking speed.

Simulated elderly participants have higher heart rates and respiratory rates during a wayfinding task.

Simulated physical ageing and route complexity do not interact on wayfinding performance and physiological outcomes.

Physical ageing was simulated in an age-simulation field experiment by using gerontologic suits.

A portable heart rate monitor was used to assess physiological outcomes like heart rate and respiratory rate.