Finger-specific effects of age on tapping speed and motor fatigability.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Increased motor fatigability is a symptom of many neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, it is difficult to pinpoint pathological motor fatigability, since the phenomena has not yet been fully characterized in the healthy population. In this study, we investigate how motor fatigability differs across age. Given that many disorders involve supraspinal components, we characterize motor fatigability with a paradigm that has previously been associated with supraspinal mechanisms. Finger tapping at maximal speed results in a rapid decrease in movement speed, which is a measure of motor fatigability.

Methods

We collected finger tapping data in a field experiment from the general population with a smartphone app, and we investigated age differences in

SUBMITTER: Heimhofer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11461208 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature