Values for timed limb coordination tests in a sample of healthy older adults.

BACKGROUND: timed limb coordination tests are reliable measures of motor performance but many lack published reference values.

OBJECTIVE: to determine mean values for timed tests in an older cohort, examining associations with anthropometric characteristics, handedness, gender and age.

DESIGN: cross-sectional.

SETTING: community.

SUBJECTS: sixty-nine healthy adults divided into three groups: 60-69, 70-79 and 80+ years.

METHODS: height, weight and time to complete five repetitions of finger-to-nose, pronation-supination, mass grasp, opposition and heel-on-shin were recorded. Performances were statistically compared with anthropometric characteristics, handedness and across age groups and gender.

RESULTS: for all tests, height negatively correlated with speed (r = -0.26 to -0.41). Weight negatively correlated with performance of two tests (r = -0.25 to -0.35). When covariates were controlled, men performed heel-on-shin faster than women. The youngest group completed upper extremity tests faster than the oldest. Adults in their 70 s completed finger-to-nose and pronation-supination faster than persons aged 80+ years.

CONCLUSIONS: we report mean values for five clinical tests of timed limb coordination that may aid in identifying mild deficits in otherwise healthy older adults.