Age-related differences in functional tool-use are due to changes in movement quality and not simply motor slowing.

ABSTRACT: Age-related declines in fine motor control may impact tool-use and thereby limit functional independence. Most previous research has, however, focused on the effect of aging on gross motor tasks. Few studies have investigated the effects of aging on the strategy or quality of fine motor skills, especially in tool-use, which may better reflect how age impacts complex movement capability. Twenty-two young (ages 19-35) and 18 older adults (ages 58-87) performed a timed upper extremity task using a tool to acquire and transport objects to different locations. Overall task performance was divided into two phases based on 3-D position of the tool: a gross motor phase (object transport) and a fine motor phase (object acquisition). Overall, older adults took longer to complete the task. A linear m

SUBMITTER: Hooyman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8269074 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature