FORCE AND ACCURACY THROWS BY OLDER ADULTS .2.

Older adults were tested to clarify findings of an earlier examination of movement responses to shifting task requirements (Williams et al., 1993). Eleven participants (average age = 77 years) were evaluated on form and velocity as they performed overarm throws for force and accu racy. Significant gender and force-accuracy differences occurred for r esultant velocity. Although no statistically significant differences o ccurred for force-accuracy comparisons of movement form, there were tr ends toward change in most movement components. Additionally, many ind ividuals displayed change in one or more components as they shifted fr om force to accuracy throws. Results of this study point to the import ance of examining developmental status and task requirements simultane ously.