HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Serrien, D. J. Articles by Stelmach, G. E. Articles citing this Article PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Serrien, D. J. Articles by Stelmach, G. E.

Age-Related Deterioration of Coordinated Interlimb Behavior

^a Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, K.U. Leuven, Belgium
^b Motor Control Laboratory, Arizona State University, Tempe

Deborah J. Serrien, who is now at the Department of Neurology, Inselspital, BHH M-133, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland E-mail: debbie.serrien{at}insel.ch.

Decision Editor: Toni C. Antonucci, PhD

Younger and older participants performed two-limb coordination patterns of homologous (similar) and nonhomologous (dissimilar) effectors during 1:1 synchronization, according to the in-phase or anti-phase mode. The aim of the study was to examine age-related changes during the production of these basic movement patterns and their relative stability difference. The findings revealed that the aging process modulated the coordination dynamics as a function of effector system characteristics. Whereas the homologous system was resistant to age-related deficits, movements of the nonhomologous system showed coordinative degradation that was most apparent during execution of the anti-phase mode. The latter performance regression is argued to be an expression of age-dependent declines in cognitive regulation and afferent information processing. This implies that deterioration in coordinated behavior across the life span may be strongly task dependent because of a combined effect of cognitive and sensory components.