Skilled finger movement exercise improves hand function

Background. Aging is accompanied by a marked decline in muscle strength and ability to maintain steady submaximal force. Studies have shown that exerc ise pro-rams can improve age-related regression of hand function in elderly individuals. The purpose of this study was to train elderly subjects to pe rform skilled finger movements and to evaluate the changes in hand function involving skillful use of finger pinch. Methods. Grip strength, maximum pinch force (MPF), steadiness of pinch forc e at 5%, 10%, and 20% MPF, M wave, and Hoffman (H) reflex were measured. Fo urteen elderly subjects were trained with skilled finger movements, and the ir performance involving finger pinch was measured. Results. Compared with untrained elderly subjects, the trained older adults significantly (p < .05) improved their ability to control submaximal pinch force, to maintain a steady hand posture, and to relocate a small object q uickly with finger grip. The amplitude of H reflex increased significantly for the trained group. Conclusions. Skilled finger movement training improves the ability to contr ol submaximal pinch force, hand steadiness, and manual speed in elderly sub jects; these improvements may be due to training-induced adaptations in the central and peripheral nervous systems.