Age-Related Differences in a Kinematic Analysis of Precued Movements

Abstract

An experiment is reported that examines kinematic measures, reaction time and response preparation differences between young and older adults, and movement response parameters in a precueing paradigm. Ten young and ten older adults performed 5 cm or 10 cm horizontal movements to the left or right with an electronic pen on a digitizing tablet. The precue (advance information) provided information about direction, extent, or both parameters. Dependent measures of reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), peak velocity, peak acceleration, peak deceleration, and their respective time values were analysed. The results indicate that young adults were significantly different on all dependent measures. Advance precue information was advantageous for all subjects as RT was faster when advance information was provided. In addition, both groups of subjects produced higher peak velocities when provided advance information about both direction and extent. Examination of the kinematics indicate that older adults produce movement patterns which display different response characteristics such as accelerating less rapidly and displaying a prolonged deceleration phase. Finally, older adults are less efficient than young adults at scaling velocity and acceleration over time between long and short movements when spatial accuracy constraints are minimal.