Effect of Aging on Posture and Endpoint during Pinching Motion

Abstract

In recent years, with the increase in number of single elderly people, the deterioration of everyday life due to the decrease of motor functions has been recognized as an important issue. In order to live an independent life, dexterous motions using fingertips are needed for activities such as changing clothes and having meals. In this study, we focused on the pinch motion of index and thumb which were the most used fingers during actions like picking up an object. We have measured and analyzed the posture and the endpoint of finger palmar of distal phalanx. As the result, we found that compare to younger people, the endpoints were located 4mm closer towards the fingertips and the control method for opposition of thumb was simplified for elderly people.