Discussion
diadochokinetic movements, arm-movements, repetitive goal-directed arm-movements
LITTLE
The main aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that the decline in TUG performance and arm-movements (repetitive goal-directed) with age reflect the same motor degradation. To determine which TUG condition is best suited for this experimental purpose, we tested three different conditions: preferred speed, fast speed, and dual-task. Comparing the TUG’s walking sequence in three different age groups revealed that the TUG condition influenced group differences: The young group was able to improve their TUG performance from preferred to fast speed the most, while the dual-task impaired the old group’s TUG performance. We also detected strong correlations between the performance of repetitive goal-directed arm-movements and fast TUG performance.Our study investigated the relationship between upper-limb performance and gait parameters, specifically in the context of repetitive goal-directed arm-movements and the TUG test. We observed significant correlations between the number of contacts in the arm-movement test and gait parameters in the fast TUG condition. We also noted that arm-movements (number of contacts and maximum speed) were similarly affected by age as in the TUG performance. Little has been known until now about the relationship between multi-joint upper-limb movements and walking, or specifically the TUG performance. Upper-limb performance as finger tapping, and diadochokinetic movements have been extensively studied in diverse patient groups, but without considering the connection to walking abilities [A wide overall range of reference values for TUG duration has been reported. Its broad distribution among diverse age groups implies variations in TUG execution and instruction [Adding a cognitive task while performing TUG led to prolonged TUG time in the old group and reduced gait speed and cadence in the old and middle-aged groups compared to the preferred condition. Decelerated movement attributable to a dual-task is a well-studied phenomenon [Our individual subjects’ performance during the fast TUG condition revealed their capacity to voluntarily increase movement speed, which is considered an indication of overall vitality [