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Does muscular weakness account for younger children's enhanced force variability?
Author(s) -
Sosnoff Jacob J.,
Deutsch Katherine M.,
Newell Karl M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.20209
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , weakness , physical strength , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychology , physical therapy , anatomy
This study examined the degree to which younger children's greater variability in force control is associated with muscular weakness. Children aged 6, 8, and 10 years and adults aged 18–22 years produced isometric force via index finger metacaro‐phalangeal joint flexion to varying force levels (5%, 15%, 25%, and 35% maximal voluntary contraction). The force output of the younger children was more variable and had greater time dependent structure compared to that of the adults at all force levels. However, the effect of age on variability was significantly reduced, but not eliminated when absolute muscular strength was taken into account. It is concluded that age‐related changes in children's force control result from a multitude of developmental processes including increases in muscular strength. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 399–405, 2007.