CHANGES IN MOTOR ABILITIES IN OLD AGE

By: Zosimo Paolo A. Albor IV

Most old people are aware that they move more slowly.
Less well coordinated in movement than when they were younger.
These changes in motor abilities are due partly to physical and psychological
causes.

PHYSICAL CAUSES:
Decrease in strength and energy
Lack of muscular tone
Stiffness of the joints
Tremors of the hands, forearms, head, and lower jaw
PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES:
Stem from awareness of slipping and from feelings of inferiority experienced
when comparisons are made w/ younger people in terms of speed, strength, and
skills of emotional tension.
*from these causes it will decrease the motivation to attempt to do what might be
done.

Practice and activity ward off to some extent at least, decline in motor abilities.
Continue to exercise are speedier and better coordinated than those who fail to
do so

According to Spindosu, he claimed that results strongly support vigorous sports

participation as a significant factor in retarding the onset of aging.
COMMON CHANGES IN MOTOR ABILITIES IN OLD AGE:
1. Strength
2. Speed
3. Learning New Skills
4. Awkwardness
STRENGTH:
It is most pronounced in the flexor muscles of the forearm and the ones that
raise the body
Tire quickly
Require a longer time to recover from fatigue
SPEED:
Shown in the reaction time and skilled movements (e.g. handwriting)
Especially marked after the 60 years of age.
LEARNING NEW SKILLS:
Learn more slowly than younger people
End results tend to be less satisfactorily

AWKWARDNESS:
They tend to become more awkward and clumsy (drop things, spill drinks, trip
and fall)
Do things in a careless, untidy manner