Age-related kinematic performance must be considered during fast head-neck rotation target task in individuals aged from 8 to 85 years old

Abstract

Rationale: Kinematic behavior during fast cervical rotations is a useful parameter for assessing sensorimotor control performances in neck-pain patients. However, in asymptomatic individuals from children to seniors, the influence of age still needs to be explored. Aim and method:We assessed the impact of age on sensorimotor control performance of the headneck with execution time and kinematic variables (time of task, mean speed/acceleration/deceleration, overshoots, minimum/maximum speed) during standardized fast rotation target task using the DidRen Laser test. Eighty volunteers were stratified in four different age-groups: Children [8-14y]: n=16; Young Adults [18-35y]: n=29; Old Adults [36-64y]: n=18; Seniors [65-85y]: n=17.