Gross Motor Skills and Hand Grip in the Elderly: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the possibility that a relationship exists between a lifetime of gross motor activity in the elderly and their current status of gross motor skills and gross hand grip strength. Ten elderly adults performed a series of six gross motor tests and answered a survey concerning their lifetime pattern of gross motor activities as determined by occupational performance components. Significant correlations were found between both the survey and the California Standing Balance Eyes Closed test and the survey and a nonstandardized cocontraction test. No significant relationships were found between the survey and the other tests used.