| Abstract |
| Due to the aging global population, there is increasing interest in aging-related changes in hand function and motor control. Nevertheless, conventional research has focused primarily on aggregate metrics such as maximum grip strength. Therefore, this study investigated age-related differences in grip control ability, individual finger contributions and how practice effects from repetitive execution manifest across generations using 60 male participants divided into three age groups (20s, 40s, and 60s). Their grip control function was determined using a multifinger dynamometer. Performance, finger contributions, and their relationships were evaluated using one-way ANOVA and a general linear model (GLM). A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to determine practice effects over repeated trials. Significant age group differences were observed in both tracking accuracy and tracking RMSE, with older age groups showing lower accuracy and higher RMSE. Significant age-related differences were found in finger contributions in the middle and ring fingers, with middle finger contribution being higher in the 40s and 60s, whereas ring finger contribution being higher in the 20s. Over repeated trials, the tracking accuracy increased and RMSE decreased, confirming clear practice effects. These findings shift the focus from simple maximum grip strength to individual finger characteristics in aging, and the provide foundational data for the early assessment of hand function decline and for designing age-specific hand training and rehabilitation programs. |
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| Key Words |
| Age, Grip Control, Finger Contribution, Aging, Motor Practice, 연령, 그립 컨트롤, 손가락 기여도, 노화, 운동 연습효과 |
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