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Effects of Aging on Hand Function
Author(s) -
Ranganathan Vinoth K.,
Siemionow Vlodek,
Sahgal Vinod,
Yue Guang H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.4911240.x
Subject(s) - pinch , medicine , hand strength , physical medicine and rehabilitation , grip strength , physical therapy , physics , nuclear physics
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to quantify age‐induced changes in handgrip and finger‐pinch strength, ability to maintain a steady submaximal finger pinch force and pinch posture, speed in relocating small objects with finger grip, and ability to discriminate two identical mechanical stimuli applied to the finger tip. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study. SETTINGS: Greater Cleveland area of Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy, independent, young (n = 27, range 20–35 years) and older (n = 28, range 65–79 years) subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Handgrip strength, maximum pinch force (MPF), ability to maintain a steady pinch force at three relative force levels (5%, 10%, and 20% MPF) and three absolute force levels (2.5 Newtons (N), 4 N, and 8 N), ability to maintain a precision pinch posture, speed in relocating pegs from a nearby location onto the pegboard, and the shortest distance for discriminating two stimuli were measured in both young and older groups. RESULTS: Compared with young subjects, the older group's handgrip force was 30% weaker ( P < .001), MPF was 26% lower ( P < .05), and ability to maintain steady submaximal pinch force and a precision pinch posture was significantly less ( P < .05). The time taken to relocate the pegs and the distance needed to discriminate two identical stimuli increased significantly with age ( P < .01). The decrease in the ability to maintain steady submaximal pinch force was more pronounced in women than men. CONCLUSION: Aging has a degenerative effect on hand function, including declines in hand and finger strength and ability to control submaximal pinch force and maintain a steady precision pinch posture, manual speed, and hand sensation.