Manual aiming in healthy aging: does proprioceptive acuity make the difference?

ABSTRACT: The present study examines whether non-active older adults are more dependent on visual information when executing aiming movements and whether age-related declines in proprioception play a mediating role herein. Young (N = 40) and older adults (N = 38) were divided into physically active and non-active subgroups based on self-reported sports participation levels. In experiment 1, participants executed wrist-aiming movements with and without visual feedback. In experiment 2, passive proprioceptive acuity was assessed using wrist motion detection and position matching tests. Results showed similar aiming accuracy across age groups both with and without visual feedback, but older adults exhibited longer movement times, prolonged homing-in phase, and made more corrective submovements. Passive

SUBMITTER: Helsen WF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5005912 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature