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.