The Effects of Age, Gender, and Target Force Level on Controlled Force Exertion Tasks

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to build basic data to systematically develop a hand function evaluation tool by determining the effects of age, gender and target force level on the difference in hand function according to the target force level.Background: Precise and objective evaluation of hand functionality is a very important factor in quantifying treatment progress in patients or elderly people, and in verifying treatment effects. However, most hand function evaluations lack objectivity and accuracy, and therefore it is difficult to properly treat patients according to the given situation.Method: Sixteen healthy subjects (eight elderly and eight young people) participated in this study to evaluate the effects of age, gender, and target force level on tracking performance through rRMSE in terms of the tracking force and actual exerted force, by carrying out a task of maintaining six different target force levels for 20 seconds.Results: The result of this experiment indicated that elderly people and women had a lower ability to maintain a certain level of force than young people and men by 16% and 10%, respectively. The target force level results showed that the tracking error of the lowest force level (5% MVC) was significantly higher than that of 15% MVC, which in turn showed a higher tracking error than that of the higher target force levels. Conclusion:The results of this study can thus be utilized to develop a rehabilitation program for elderly people or other patients.Application: The authors expect that the results of the present study will be valuable to develop a rehabilitation program and hand function evaluation tool.