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Changes in throwing by older adults: a longitudinal investigation
K Williams1, K Haywood, A VanSant
1Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, USA. k_willia@hamlet.uncg.edu
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
|April 9, 1998
Summary
Older adults show minimal decline in complex motor skills like the overarm throw, suggesting motor performance is more stable with aging than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Motor Control
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Aging is often associated with motor skill decline.
- The stability of complex motor patterns in older adults remains under-investigated.
- Understanding age-related changes in motor coordination is crucial for maintaining functional independence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine longitudinal changes in a multisegmented motor pattern (overarm throw) in older adults.
- To assess the degree of motor pattern decline in elderly individuals over a 7-year period.
- To compare age-related motor changes with traditional assumptions about aging and skill degradation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observation of the overarm throw in 8 elderly participants over 7 years.
- Analysis of movement components using Roberton's (1984) established framework.
- Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of changes in movement form, speed, range of motion, and variability.
Main Results:
- Minimal declines in the overall movement form of the overarm throw were observed.
- Individual analyses revealed slower movement speed and reduced range of motion.
- Increased trial-to-trial variability in performance was noted.
- Elderly participants coordinated movements similarly to younger individuals but exhibited different control strategies.
Conclusions:
- Motor performance, specifically complex skills, may be more stable in older adults than commonly assumed.
- Aging affects motor control strategies differently than overall movement coordination.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of motor control and adaptation in the elderly population.
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