Mm. Samson et al., SPATIAL-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF MOBILITY OVER THE ADULT AGE RANGE USING THE POSTURAL-LOCOMOTOR-MANUAL TEST, The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 53(3), 1998, pp. 242-247
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.