Aging and variability of voluntary contractions

Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2011 Apr;39(2):77-84. doi: 10.1097/JES.0b013e31820b85ab.

Abstract

Older adults exhibit greater motor variability, which impairs their accuracy and function, compared with young adults. Low-intensity training that emphasizes muscle coordination reduces variability in older adults. Furthermore, a low amount of visual feedback minimizes age-associated differences in variability. We hypothesize that an intervention that combines muscle coordination and reduced visual feedback would be advantageous to improve motor control in older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Feedback, Sensory / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*