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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
09:36
Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Aging reduces the ability to change grip force and balance control simultaneously
Sophie Mallau1, Martin Simoneau
1Université Laval, Faculté de Médecine, Division de kinésiologie, Québec, Canada.
Neuroscience Letters
|November 13, 2008
Summary
Older adults show reduced fingertip force modulation but maintain balance control comparable to young adults during object lifting tasks. This suggests a shift in attention towards balance over fine grip adjustments in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in motor control and balance.
- Understanding age-related changes in sensorimotor control is crucial for fall prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in fingertip force modulation and balance control during object lifting.
- To compare young and older adults' ability to adjust grip and load forces and maintain stability.
Main Methods:
- Participants (young and older adults) repeatedly lifted a 1500g object in seated and standing positions.
- Fingertip forces (grip and load) and balance control were quantified across trials.
Main Results:
- Young adults exhibited greater reduction in peak grip force than older adults.
- Older adults reduced peak load force in the seated condition, while young adults increased it.
- Both groups showed similar changes in peak load force in the standing condition.
- Older adults demonstrated balance stability improvements comparable to young adults in the standing condition.
Conclusions:
- Older adults may prioritize balance control over fine-tuning grip force when standing, possibly due to attentional resource allocation.
- Despite reduced grip force modulation, older adults can maintain balance stability, highlighting adaptive strategies in aging.
- These findings have implications for designing interventions to enhance motor and balance control in older populations.
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