SPATIAL-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF MOBILITY OVER THE ADULT AGE RANGE USING THE POSTURAL-LOCOMOTOR-MANUAL TEST

Background. Mobility measurements were performed on healthy adult subj ects to investigate changes over the adult age range and to obtain ref erence values. Methods. Ninety-five males (19-90 years, mean 58.2) and 122 females (19-90 years, mean 51.8) were measured using the commerci ally available Postural-Locomotor-Manual Test (PLM-test). Subjects are required to perform a standard maneuver that is recorded using an opt oelectronic technique. Results. Older subjects carried out all phases of the maneuver more slowly than younger subjects. At about the age of 50 years, females showed a more rapid slowing down. Males showed a mo re gradual decrease over the adult age range. Conclusion. The PLM-test provides a fairly simple noninvasive method of assessing motor perfor mance. However, it is important to separate male and female data in th e determination of reference values.