When does physical performance peak?
25-35 years *age is variable
When does physical performance decline? Why?
Declines slowly until around 70 where the rate of decline accelerates due to decline in fundamental motor skills
How does locomotion (gait) change as we age?
regression to fundamental MP
- decreased velocity
- decreased step length
- increased stride width
- increased stance phase
- increased time in double support
decreased time in swing phase
- flatter foot-floor pattern
- reduced arm swing
What are the structural changes that cause vision to decline as we age?
- lens grows and becomes less compliant; reduced visual accommodation
- increase in retinal thickness; peripheral vision is reduced
What are the functional changes that cause vision to decline as we age?
- reduction in colour and brightness sensitivity
- decline in contrast sensitivity and visual acuity beyond late 60s (ability to see contrast)
- difficulties with visual search and fixation
- deficits in dynamic visual acuity (processing of moving objects)
What are the age related changes in cognition that affect decision making?
- changes in arousal (increases) = this leads to a change in focus
- changes in attention (decreases)
What parts of memory are affected by aging?
- short term (working memory)
- long-term; episodic (events) > semantic (facts)
What parts of memory are NOT affected by ageing?
- short term (primary)
- long term (procedural)
Why is memory affected as we age?
Reduced attentional capacity = reduced ability to process (work) information.
What are 2 ways we can improve attentional capacity in older adults? (selective and divided)
- Dual task paradigm to improve divided attention
- visual occlusion training to improve selective attention
Why do changes in gait occur as we age?
There is a regression to a fundamental motor pattern due to changes in balance (centre of mass). This is due to decreased ability to pick up accurate visual info, change in cochlear apparatus (vestib) and changes in proprioception.
