27th Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Gender and Age on Elderly Hand Dexterity Strength
Natalie A. Nealon
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gender and age on elderly hand dexterity and strength. Residents (6 M, 22 F) of a nursing home (ages 67 to 96 yrs) volunteered to perform a pass or fail trace test, 20-s peg placement test, and maximal grip test. Each test was performed 3 times in random order. Independent t-testing revealed a significant difference in hand dexterity (peg placement test) and strength between elderly men and women. There was a significant difference in hand dexterity and strength between participants of ages 67 to 82 and 82 to 96 yrs (p<0.009). There was no significant difference in hand dexterity or strength between participants in the two age groups. Age may reduce hand dexterity and strength in both genders. Further, it is possible that the nursing home environment does little to attenuate the loss.
Keywords: Elderly, Hand, Dexterity, Strength, Gender, Grip
Topic(s):Health Science
Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 9-1
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30