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Age-related differences in prehension: the influence of task goals
P L Weir1, B J Mallat, J L Leavitt
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|December 29, 2009
Summary
Elderly adults show age-related differences in movement strategies during reaching and grasping tasks. While approach movements are similar, transport phase shows slower speeds in older individuals, indicating adaptive software strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-related changes in motor control can affect daily activities.
- Understanding how elderly individuals adapt their movements is crucial for maintaining independence.
- Previous research has explored age differences in reaching and grasping, but phase-specific strategies require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age and task goal on reaching and grasping movements.
- To analyze movement phases (approach and transport) separately to identify age-related differences in motor strategies.
Main Methods:
- Ten young and 10 elderly adults performed reaching and grasping tasks with varying object placement goals.
- Movement kinematics were analyzed during two distinct phases: approach to grasp and transport of the object.
- Key metrics included movement time, deceleration, and hand-enclosing time.
Main Results:
- During the approach phase, elderly subjects had comparable movement times but longer deceleration and hand-enclosing times.
- During the transport phase, elderly subjects moved slower than young subjects, with no differences in relative timing.
- Task precision influenced movement duration and deceleration timing in both age groups, indicating anticipatory adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Age-related differences in reaching and grasping are phase-specific, suggesting distinct motor control strategies.
- Elderly individuals may employ different 'software' strategies to compensate for age-related 'hardware' limitations.
- Motor performance adapts to task demands, highlighting the role of cognitive anticipation in aging motor control.
