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Age-related changes in grasping force modulation

Experimental Brain Research volume 166, pages 61–70 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age on the modulation of forces produced by the digits and to determine the effects of practice on the control of these forces in young and older adults. Young (n=14, 19–28 years) and old (n=12, 67–75 years) adults used a precision grip to perform a variable force-tracking task (sine wave, 5–25% of maximum voluntary force) with their dominant hand. Participants performed 100 practice trials over 2 consecutive days. Results indicated that both groups improved accuracy of force tracking as a result of practice. Younger adults performed the task at a higher level in pre- and post-test conditions compared with older adults. Younger adults showed improvements in force control in force generation and release phases. Older adults reached performance levels comparable with younger adults’ pre-test performance, but only after extended practice. In contrast to young adults, older adults’ performance during the force release phases remained quite variable. These data suggest that older adults are impaired in the accurate release of grip force. Varied force release patterns that disrupt the precision of force modulation may contribute to older adults’ diminished dexterous abilities.

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Notes

  1. The maximum force of the younger participants was not significantly greater than the maximum force of the older adults; t(19.10)=−0.11, P=0.91; My=48.87, SDy=10.11, Mo=49.44, SDo=14.67

  2. Since no age differences in MVC occurred, CV seems to be an appropriate measure to show variations between the four phases of the sine wave

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by a seed grant from the Center on Aging and Cognition: Health, Education, and Training. We thank Emiko Suzuki for her assistance in data collection and Erik M. Norrell for his assistance in data analysis.

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Author notes

  1. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage

    Present address: Jacobs centre for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, International University Bremen, Bremen, Germany

  2. Jay L. Alberts

    Present address: Development of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louis Stokes CDVA Medical Center, Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Jay L. Alberts

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  1. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage
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Correspondence to Claudia Voelcker-Rehage.

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Voelcker-Rehage, C., Alberts, J.L. Age-related changes in grasping force modulation. Exp Brain Res 166, 61–70 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-005-2342-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-005-2342-6

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Precision grip
  • Force modulation
  • Practice