The Influence of Strength Exercises on Hand Tapping in Women Aged 20 to 70 Years

The aim of this research was to determine the differences in hand tapping of female subjects at different levels of motor development, and the influence of fatigue inducing strength exercises on this ability. The research was conducted on 34 female subjects aged 65-70 years ( x =68.03±2.62) and 30 young female students of the institute of physical education ( x =21.0±1.5). Maximum frequency of movements was measured with the MLS machine included in the Vienna Test System. A participant was to tap a 40mmx40mm square with a stylus as fast as possible for 32 seconds. Then the participants carried out a strength exercise for 30 secs (Rikli, Jones 2001). Then immediately after the exercise the tapping test was carried out. Each participant performed the routine (strength exercise (30 secs) and the tapping test) 5 times. Older women were observed to have significantly lower results after the first effort, and the subsequent efforts induced smaller and smaller variances. In the younger group the rate of decrease in tapping results did not change across the efforts. Significant differences in the ability to perform movements with maximum frequency were found between the studied groups. Age is a significant factor influencing these differences. The analysis of the results did not show any significant differences in the types of variances, between the groups of older and younger women.