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Preprogramming, programming and reprogramming of aimed hand movements as a function of age
1Motor Behavior Laboratory, University of Iowa, IA, USA.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|December 1, 1982
Summary
Age does not affect response programming operations for ballistic movements. While older adults are slower, their fundamental motor programming remains intact, showing age-invariant processing.
Area of Science:
- Motor Control
- Human Aging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Motor act execution involves complex response programming operations.
- Understanding age-related changes in motor control is crucial for gerontology and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chronological age and response programming operations.
- To determine if aging impacts the fundamental characteristics of motor programming.
Main Methods:
- Two age groups (young adults and older adults) performed aimed-movements under preprogramming, programming, and reprogramming conditions.
- Advance information about movement direction was manipulated to probe response programming.
- Reaction and movement times were measured for leftward and rightward movements.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited slower reaction and movement times compared to younger adults.
- No significant interaction was found between age and response programming conditions, indicating age-invariant processing.
- A consistent left-right difference in movement initiation time was observed, influenced by hand used and movement direction, supporting a response programming basis.
Conclusions:
- Basic response programming operations for ballistic motor acts are largely unaffected by advancing chronological age.
- Movement direction and hand dominance influence response initiation times, highlighting the role of programming.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific operations underlying reprogramming.