Effects of old age on fatigability and sensorimotor characteristics of a repetitive upper limb fatiguing task.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

1) Determine the effects of old age on sensorimotor responses to a fatiguing work-like task. 2) Explore how old age influences the relationships between task fatigability, everyday perceptions of fatigability, and sensorimotor function.

Methods

Healthy young (N = 17, 9W) and older (N = 13, 10W) adults completed the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale to assess everyday perceptions of physical (PF) and mental fatigability and performed a repetitive tapping task to fatigue. Before and after the task, grip strength was assessed using a hand-grip dynamometer and touch-pressure sensitivity was measured (shoulder, hand) using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.

Results

Older, but not young adults, had increased touch-pressure sensitivity at the shoulder after fatigue (inte

SUBMITTER: Bailey CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7347145 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature