{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T20:39:51Z","timestamp":1790109591088,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":145,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]],"date-time":"2026-03-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773964800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Hum. Neurosci."],"abstract":"<jats:p>The hand is a remarkable organ that is essential for daily living, functional independence, and quality of life. Age-related declines in sensorimotor function, however, lead to impaired hand dexterity, fine force control, and coordinated movement that are independent of comorbid conditions such as arthritis or peripheral neuropathies. Despite a large body of research illustrating how these changes impact daily activities, routine clinical assessment of mobility in older adults has primarily focused on postural control or the ability to generate maximum grip strength. This mini-review provides an overview of functional hand declines associated with aging including the importance of low force control and somatosensory feedback. In addition, the benefits of targeted training programs to improve hand sensorimotor function and the impact of factors such as sex differences, physical inactivity, and occupation on hand use are described. The goal of this review is to increase awareness of the importance of maintaining or improving hand function in our increasingly aging segment of society \u2013 it\u2019s not just about muscle strength.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2026.1779077","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]],"date-time":"2026-03-20T06:36:57Z","timestamp":1773988617000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Age-related changes in hand function \u2013 it\u2019s not just about muscle strength"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"20","author":[{"given":"Rachel N.","family":"Logue Cook","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan","place":["Ann Arbor, MI, United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Susan H.","family":"Brown","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan","place":["Ann Arbor, MI, United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"272","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.17.3.272","article-title":"The influence of age and physical activity on upper limb proprioceptive ability","volume":"17","author":"Adamo","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Aging Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1297","DOI":"10.2466\/pms.104.4.1297-1309","article-title":"Age-related differences in upper limb proprioceptive acuity","volume":"104","author":"Adamo","year":"2007","journal-title":"Percept. Mot. Skills"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1538002","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2025.1538002","article-title":"The association between daily movement behavior and adjusted handgrip strength in post-menopausal women","volume":"12","author":"Alzuwaydi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Nutr."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"afac225","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afac225","article-title":"The neglected barrier to medication use: a systematic review of difficulties associated with opening medication packaging","volume":"51","author":"Angel","year":"2022","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.1016\/j.arr.2010.05.005","article-title":"Patterns of muscle strength loss with age in the general population and patients with a chronic inflammatory state","volume":"9","author":"Beenakker","year":"2010","journal-title":"Ageing Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"755","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-022-03416-6","article-title":"Sensory and motor correlates of frailty: dissociation between frailty phenotype and frailty index","volume":"22","author":"Beier","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"370","DOI":"10.1123\/mcj.17.4.370","article-title":"Age-related decline in the rate of force development scaling factor","volume":"17","author":"Bellumori","year":"2013","journal-title":"Mot. Control."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1681","DOI":"10.2147\/CIA.S194543","article-title":"Grip Strength: An Indispensable Biomarker For Older Adults","volume":"14","author":"Bohannon","year":"2019","journal-title":"Clin. Interv. Aging"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"741","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9030741","article-title":"Central and peripheral neuromuscular adaptations to ageing","volume":"9","author":"Borzuola","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"756","DOI":"10.1016\/j.exger.2013.03.011","article-title":"The magnitude and rate of reduction in strength, dexterity and sensation in the human hand vary with ageing","volume":"48","author":"Bowden","year":"2013","journal-title":"Exp. Gerontol."},{"key":"ref11","first-page":"114","volume-title":"The Ascent of Man","author":"Bronowski","year":"1973"},{"key":"ref12","first-page":"27","volume-title":"Advances in Psychology","author":"Brown","year":"1996"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"730","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.43.8.730","article-title":"The relation of tactile thresholds to histology in the fingers of elderly people","volume":"43","author":"Bruce","year":"1980","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"152","DOI":"10.3390\/sports13050152","article-title":"The effects of exercise intervention in older adults with and without sarcopenia: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Cabrolier-Molina","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sports (Basel)"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"174","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.36.2.174","article-title":"Physiological changes in ageing muscles","volume":"36","author":"Campbell","year":"1973","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/58.2.m146","article-title":"The aging hand","volume":"58","author":"Carmeli","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"910","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2018.00910","article-title":"Manual dexterity and aging: a pilot study disentangling sensorimotor from cognitive decline","volume":"9","author":"Carment","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Neurol."},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"385","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-018-5316-x","article-title":"Social patterning in grip strength and in its association with age; a cross sectional analysis using the UK household longitudinal study (UKHLS)","volume":"18","author":"Carney","year":"2018","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.1123\/mc.2019-0021","article-title":"Age- and sex-related differences in the maximum muscle performance and rate of force development scaling factor of precision grip muscles","volume":"24","author":"Corr\u00eaa","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mot. Control."},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1186","DOI":"10.18632\/aging.101480","article-title":"Aging and GABA","volume":"10","author":"Cuypers","year":"2018","journal-title":"Aging (Albany NY)"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glw122","article-title":"Simple test of manual dexterity can help to identify persons at high risk for neurodegenerative diseases in the community","volume":"72","author":"Darweesh","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"565","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conb.2011.05.021","article-title":"Interactions between areas of the cortical grasping network","volume":"21","author":"Davare","year":"2011","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Neurobiol."},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1139","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glu025","article-title":"Dexterous manipulation is poorer at older ages and is dissociated from decline of hand strength","volume":"69","author":"Dayanidhi","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.1590\/1516-4446-2015-1874","article-title":"Impairment of fine motor dexterity in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia: association with activities of daily living","volume":"38","author":"de Paula","year":"2016","journal-title":"Braz J Psychiatry."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.1016\/j.arr.2013.12.003","article-title":"Effect of ageing on tactile transduction processes","volume":"13","author":"Decorps","year":"2014","journal-title":"Ageing Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1016\/0266-7681_90_90042-3","article-title":"The sensational contributions of Erik Moberg","volume":"15","author":"Dellon","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Br."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.3109\/09638289509166638","article-title":"The Purdue pegboard test: normative data for people aged 60 and over","volume":"17","author":"Desrosiers","year":"1995","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"glad245","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glad245","article-title":"Shared and distinct associations of manual dexterity and gross motor function with brain atrophy","volume":"79","author":"Dougherty","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"963","DOI":"10.1093\/rheumatology\/kem005","article-title":"The impact of musculoskeletal hand problems in older adults: findings from the north Staffordshire osteoarthritis project (NorStOP)","volume":"46","author":"Dziedzic","year":"2007","journal-title":"Rheumatology (Oxford)"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/s1050-6411(02)00084-6","article-title":"Mechanisms that contribute to differences in motor performance between young and old adults","volume":"13","author":"Enoka","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1242","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000001936","article-title":"Physical activity, cognition, and brain outcomes: a review of the 2018 physical activity Guidelines","volume":"51","author":"Erickson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1991.tb03624.x","article-title":"Self report and performance-based hand function tests as correlates of dependency in the elderly","volume":"39","author":"Falconer","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Am. Geriatr. Soc."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1149","DOI":"10.1093\/cercor\/bhv302","article-title":"Vision for prehension in the medial parietal cortex","volume":"27","author":"Fattori","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cereb. Cortex"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1091","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1440-1681.2007.04752.x","article-title":"Age-related changes in the structure and function of skeletal muscles","volume":"34","author":"Faulkner","year":"2007","journal-title":"Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"388","DOI":"10.1177\/1073858410375468","article-title":"Human cortical control of hand movements: parietofrontal networks for reaching, grasping, and pointing","volume":"16","author":"Filimon","year":"2010","journal-title":"Neuroscientist"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.2174\/1874609811205010002","article-title":"The effects of age on precision pinch force control across five days of practice","volume":"5","author":"Francis","year":"2012","journal-title":"Curr. Aging Sci."},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112","DOI":"10.3390\/geriatrics8060112","article-title":"Hand trauma in emergency Department Management in Older Adults \u2265 80 years old: a twenty-year retrospective analysis","volume":"8","author":"Fulchignoni","year":"2023","journal-title":"Geriatrics (Basel)"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"839","DOI":"10.1111\/joa.12983","article-title":"Ageing of the somatosensory system at the periphery: age-related changes in cutaneous mechanoreceptors","volume":"234","author":"Garc\u00eda-Piqueras","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Anat."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2008.08.012","article-title":"Proprioceptive sensibility in the elderly: degeneration, functional consequences and plastic-adaptive processes","volume":"33","author":"Goble","year":"2009","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-011-2904-8","article-title":"Compromised encoding of proprioceptively determined joint angles in older adults: the role of working memory and attentional load","volume":"216","author":"Goble","year":"2012","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"413","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-009-2148-z","article-title":"Manipulation of a fragile object","volume":"202","author":"Gorniak","year":"2010","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"505","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-011-2755-3","article-title":"Manipulation of a fragile object by elderly individuals","volume":"212","author":"Gorniak","year":"2011","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1710","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.00629.2020","article-title":"The role of eye movements, attention, and hand movements on age-related differences in pegboard tests","volume":"126","author":"Heintz Walters","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiol."},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1186\/1743-0003-11-43","article-title":"Systematic changes in position sense accompany normal aging across adulthood","volume":"11","author":"Herter","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Neuroeng. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1159\/000510382","article-title":"Associations between cognition and hand function in older people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia","volume":"10","author":"Hesseberg","year":"2021","journal-title":"Dement. Geriatr. Cogn. Dis. Extra."},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2161","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-020-05865-0","article-title":"Effects of aging on rapid grip force responses during bimanual manipulation of an active object","volume":"238","author":"Hibino","year":"2020","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"885","DOI":"10.1007\/s00702-003-0009-7","article-title":"Influence of age, gender, education and dexterity on upper limb motor performance in parkinsonian patients and healthy controls","volume":"110","author":"Homann","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Neural Transm. (Vienna)"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"242","DOI":"10.29819\/ANT.200912.0003","article-title":"Effects of age, gender, height, and weight on late responses and nerve conduction study parameters","volume":"18","author":"Huang","year":"2009","journal-title":"Acta Neurol. Taiwanica"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101747","DOI":"10.1016\/j.arr.2022.101747","article-title":"The effect of tai chi in elderly individuals with sarcopenia and frailty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"82","author":"Huang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ageing Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11009","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191711009","article-title":"Sex differences in age-associated rate of decline in grip strength when engaging in vigorous physical activity","volume":"19","author":"Huebner","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2015.00120","article-title":"Upper extremity proprioception in healthy aging and stroke populations, and the effects of therapist- and robot-based rehabilitation therapies on proprioceptive function","volume":"9","author":"Hughes","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front. Hum. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103066","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2025.103066","article-title":"Motor performance and aging in males and females","volume":"85","author":"Hunter","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref53","volume-title":"In Brief: How do hands work?","year":"2006"},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"314","DOI":"10.1016\/0166-2236(95)93921-J","article-title":"Grasping objects: the cortical mechanisms of visuomotor transformation","volume":"18","author":"Jeannerod","year":"1995","journal-title":"Trends Neurosci."},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.4103\/ajim.ajim_63_22","article-title":"Age variation of motor nerve conduction study in healthy adults","volume":"11","author":"Jena","year":"2023","journal-title":"APIK J. Intern. Med."},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"M203","DOI":"10.1093\/geronj\/45.6.m203","article-title":"Musculoskeletal impairments and physical disablement among the aged","volume":"45","author":"Jette","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Gerontol."},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1978.sp012411","article-title":"Tactile sensibility in the human hand: receptive field characteristics of mechanoreceptive units in the glabrous skin area","volume":"281","author":"Johansson","year":"1978","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780195173154.001.0001","volume-title":"Human Hand Function","author":"Jones","year":"2006"},{"key":"ref59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2013.00005","article-title":"Six months of dance intervention enhances postural, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance in elderly without affecting cardio-respiratory functions","volume":"5","author":"Kattenstroth","year":"2013","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"ref60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2010.00031","article-title":"Superior sensory, motor, and cognitive performance in elderly individuals with multi-year dancing activities","volume":"2","author":"Kattenstroth","year":"2010","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"ref61","volume-title":"The World I Live In","author":"Keller","year":"1908"},{"key":"ref62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-008-1409-6","article-title":"Tactile acuity in experienced tai chi practitioners: evidence for use dependent plasticity as an effect of sensory-attentional training","volume":"188","author":"Kerr","year":"2008","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-018-0880-6","article-title":"Hand dexterity, not handgrip strength, is associated with executive function in Japanese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study","volume":"18","author":"Kobayashi-Cuya","year":"2018","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr."},{"key":"ref64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2072","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01149.2004","article-title":"Practice reduces motor unit discharge variability in a hand muscle and improves manual dexterity in old adults","volume":"98","author":"Kornatz","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"ref65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1186\/s13395-020-00258-x","article-title":"Muscle spindle function in healthy and diseased muscle","volume":"11","author":"Kr\u00f6ger","year":"2021","journal-title":"Skelet. Muscle"},{"key":"ref66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroscience.2018.04.015","article-title":"Age-related impairment of hand movement perception based on muscle proprioception and touch","volume":"381","author":"Landelle","year":"2018","journal-title":"Neuroscience"},{"key":"ref67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"427","DOI":"10.1152\/physrev.00061.2017","article-title":"Sarcopenia: aging-related loss of muscle mass and function","volume":"99","author":"Larsson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Physiol. Rev."},{"key":"ref68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1123\/mc.2014-0025","article-title":"The hand: shall we ever understand how it works?","volume":"19","author":"Latash","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mot. Control."},{"key":"ref69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.00084.2018","article-title":"Muscle coactivation: definitions, mechanisms, and functions","volume":"120","author":"Latash","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiol."},{"key":"ref70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2015.00108","article-title":"Outcome measures for hand function naturally reveal three latent domains in older adults: strength, coordinated upper extremity function, and sensorimotor processing","volume":"7","author":"Lawrence","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"ref71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"afae104","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afae104","article-title":"Effectiveness of dance interventions for falls prevention in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"53","author":"Lazo Green","year":"2024","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"422","DOI":"10.4082\/kjfm.19.0062","article-title":"Relationship between sedentary time and handgrip strength in healthy Korean women: Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey 2014-2016","volume":"41","author":"Lee","year":"2020","journal-title":"Korean J. Fam. Med."},{"key":"ref73","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.neuro.31.060407.125547","article-title":"Descending pathways in motor control","volume":"31","author":"Lemon","year":"2008","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"202","DOI":"10.1002\/9780470515563.ch11","article-title":"The importance of the cortico-motoneuronal system for control of grasp","volume":"218","author":"Lemon","year":"1998","journal-title":"Novartis Found. Symp."},{"key":"ref75","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1097\/NOR.0000000000000515","article-title":"Hand assessment for elderly people in the community","volume":"38","author":"Leow","year":"2019","journal-title":"Orthop. Nurs."},{"key":"ref76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116050","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2019.116050","article-title":"Sensorimotor cortex neurometabolite levels as correlate of motor performance in normal aging: evidence from a 1H-MRS study","volume":"202","author":"Levin","year":"2019","journal-title":"NeuroImage"},{"key":"ref77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e203","DOI":"10.1097\/JOM.0000000000003309","article-title":"The relationship between longest-held occupation and hand function in older adults","volume":"67","author":"Levinson","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref78","first-page":"568","volume-title":"Neuropsychological Assessment","author":"Lezak","year":"2012"},{"key":"ref79","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"445","DOI":"10.1369\/jhc.4A6257.2005","article-title":"Fiber content and myosin heavy chain composition of muscle spindles in aged human biceps brachii","volume":"53","author":"Liu","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Histochem. Cytochem."},{"key":"ref80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2505","DOI":"10.1007\/s40520-022-02191-z","article-title":"Is maximum grip strength a reliable predictor of hand limitations among older adults?","volume":"34","author":"Logue Cook","year":"2022","journal-title":"Aging Clin. Exp. Res."},{"key":"ref82","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1080\/02701960.2023.2293015","article-title":"An intergenerational service-learning approach to improve hand function in older adults","volume":"46","author":"Logue Cook","year":"2023","journal-title":"Gerontol. Geriatr. Educ."},{"key":"ref81","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"glae104","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glae104","article-title":"Racial\/ethnic differences in self-reported upper limb limitations among U.S. older adults","volume":"79","author":"Logue Cook","year":"","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref83","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"635","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2024.02.002","article-title":"Effectiveness of a home training program on improving pinch force perception in older adults","volume":"37","author":"Logue Cook","year":"","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref84","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103851","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gerinurse.2026.103851","article-title":"What about the hands? Older adults' attitudes and perceptions of hand function","volume":"68","author":"Logue Cook","year":"2026","journal-title":"Geriatr. Nurs."},{"key":"ref85","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1405","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/glab368","article-title":"Measuring hand sensory function and force control in older adults: are current hand assessment tools enough?","volume":"77","author":"Logue","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref86","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/15233.001.0001","volume-title":"The Invisible Hand: Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Human Hand Function","author":"Longo","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref87","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102689","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2022.102689","article-title":"Sex differences in motor unit behaviour: a review","volume":"66","author":"Lulic-Kuryllo","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref88","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e3181f3f3ab","article-title":"Associations among strength, steadiness, and hand function across the adult life span","volume":"43","author":"Marmon","year":"2011","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref89","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0117598","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0117598","article-title":"Age and grip strength predict hand dexterity in adults","volume":"10","author":"Martin","year":"2015","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref90","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.3109\/08990220.2010.485959","article-title":"Characterization of human tactile pattern recognition performance at different ages","volume":"27","author":"Master","year":"2010","journal-title":"Somatosens. Mot. Res."},{"key":"ref91","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2345","DOI":"10.14336\/AD.2024.0220","article-title":"Cerebellum and aging: update and challenges","volume":"15","author":"McElroy","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aging Dis."},{"key":"ref92","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroscience.2021.02.015","article-title":"The effects of ageing on tactile function in humans","volume":"464","author":"McIntyre","year":"2021","journal-title":"Neuroscience"},{"key":"ref93","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e064919","DOI":"10.1002\/alz.064919","article-title":"Comparison of manual dexterity of people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and cognitively healthy older adults: the impact of cognition","volume":"19","author":"Menengic","year":"2023","journal-title":"Alzheimer\u2019s Dimentia"},{"key":"ref94","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1872","DOI":"10.1016\/s0003-9993(03)00483-0","article-title":"Gender differences in the performance of activities of daily living","volume":"84","author":"Merritt","year":"2003","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref95","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1216","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9041216","article-title":"Common musculoskeletal disorders in the elderly: the star triad","volume":"9","author":"Minetto","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref96","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22696","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-02173-7","article-title":"Bimanual digit training improves right-hand dexterity in older adults by reactivating declined ipsilateral motor-cortical inhibition","volume":"11","author":"Naito","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref97","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1159\/000212939","article-title":"Study of age changes in the motor units of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in man","volume":"34","author":"Newton","year":"1988","journal-title":"Gerontology"},{"key":"ref98","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.18214\/jend.2023.00115","article-title":"Peripheral neuropathy in older adults","volume":"25","author":"Niu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Electrodiagn. Neuromuscul. Dis."},{"key":"ref99","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"003","DOI":"10.23937\/2469-5858\/1510003","article-title":"Balance and its clinical assessment in older adults - a review","volume":"1","author":"Nnodim","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Geriatr. Med. Gerontol."},{"key":"ref100","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"869","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.28167","article-title":"All hands on deck: the multidisciplinary rehabilitation assessment and management of hand function in persons with neuromuscular disorders","volume":"71","author":"O'Connell","year":"2025","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"key":"ref101","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1166","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00054.2008","article-title":"The effects of strength training on finger strength and hand dexterity in healthy elderly individuals","volume":"105","author":"Olafsdottir","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref102","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1490","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00966.2006","article-title":"Age-related changes in multifinger synergies in accurate moment of force production tasks","volume":"102","author":"Olafsdottir","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"ref103","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"963","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1989.tb07282.x","article-title":"Manual dexterity as a correlate of dependency in the elderly","volume":"37","author":"Ostwald","year":"1989","journal-title":"J. Am. Geriatr. Soc."},{"key":"ref104","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112","DOI":"10.4103\/jnrp.jnrp_323_17","article-title":"Impact of aging on nerve conduction velocities and late responses in healthy individuals","volume":"9","author":"Palve","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Neurosci. Rural Pract."},{"key":"ref105","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9819","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-94182-z","article-title":"Enhancing prehension strength and dexterity through cross-education effects in the elderly","volume":"15","author":"Park","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref106","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1097\/PHM.0b013e3181fc7f6f","article-title":"Effect of training on interlimb transfer of dexterity skills in healthy adults","volume":"90","author":"Pereira","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref107","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"867","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001104","article-title":"Muscular grip strength estimates of the U.S. population from the National Health and nutrition examination survey 2011-2012","volume":"30","author":"Perna","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref108","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1002\/jcsm.13110","article-title":"Grip strength is inversely associated with DNA methylation age acceleration","volume":"14","author":"Peterson","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Cachexia. Sarcopenia Muscle"},{"key":"ref109","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.1186\/s13643-024-02681-3","article-title":"Falls prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits, harms, and patient values and preferences","volume":"13","author":"Pillay","year":"2024","journal-title":"Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref110","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"M518","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/56.8.m518","article-title":"Skilled finger movement exercise improves hand function","volume":"56","author":"Ranganathan","year":"","journal-title":"J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref111","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1478","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1532-5415.2001.4911240.x","article-title":"Effects of aging on hand function","volume":"49","author":"Ranganathan","year":"","journal-title":"J. Am. Geriatr. Soc."},{"key":"ref112","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2589","DOI":"10.1111\/ejn.12629","article-title":"Effects of age and expertise on tactile learning in humans","volume":"40","author":"Reuter","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur. J. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref113","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.12290","article-title":"The surface area of the hand and the palm for estimating percentage of total body surface area: results of a meta-analysis","volume":"169","author":"Rhodes","year":"2013","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref114","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"793","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-023-06561-5","article-title":"Sex differences in the neural underpinnings of unimanual and bimanual control in adults","volume":"241","author":"Rogojin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref115","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.3200\/JMBR.38.6.431-137","article-title":"Gender-specific movement strategies using a computer-pointing task","volume":"38","author":"Rohr","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Mot. Behav."},{"key":"ref116","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1221","DOI":"10.1002\/mds.30199","article-title":"Corticospinal tract development, evolution, and skilled movements","volume":"40","author":"Roze","year":"2025","journal-title":"Mov. Disord."},{"key":"ref117","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"631","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-014-4142-3","article-title":"Proprioceptively guided reaching movements in 3D space: effects of age, task complexity and handedness","volume":"233","author":"Schaap","year":"2015","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref118","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"721","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2009.10.005","article-title":"Motor control and aging: links to age-related brain structural, functional, and biochemical effects","volume":"34","author":"Seidler","year":"2010","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev."},{"key":"ref119","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1186\/s11556-023-00319-2","article-title":"Effects of home-based manual dexterity training on cognitive function among older adults: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"20","author":"Seol","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur. Rev. Aging Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref120","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00045.2004","article-title":"Age-related changes in finger coordination in static prehension tasks","volume":"97","author":"Shim","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"ref121","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.1097\/AUD.0b013e31825f9bba","article-title":"The aging hand and the ergonomics of hearing aid controls","volume":"34","author":"Singh","year":"2013","journal-title":"Ear Hear."},{"key":"ref122","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5303","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-018-23688-6","article-title":"Mechanisms of tactile sensory deterioration amongst the elderly","volume":"8","author":"Skedung","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref123","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"741","DOI":"10.1038\/s41583-021-00528-7","article-title":"The neural mechanisms of manual dexterity","volume":"22","author":"Sobinov","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref124","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70155","DOI":"10.1002\/ajhb.70155","article-title":"When and why do sex differences in handgrip strength emerge? Age-varying effects of testosterone from childhood to older adulthood","volume":"37","author":"Song","year":"2025","journal-title":"Am. J. Hum. Biol."},{"key":"ref125","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"805","DOI":"10.1113\/expphysiol.1996.sp003978","article-title":"The influence of age on the assessment of motor unit activation in a human hand muscle","volume":"81","author":"Spiegel","year":"1996","journal-title":"Exp. Physiol."},{"key":"ref126","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"835","DOI":"10.2147\/CIA.S132940","article-title":"Relationship between sarcopenia and physical activity in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Steffl","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Interv. Aging"},{"key":"ref127","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afu170","article-title":"Factors associated with grip strength decline in older adults","volume":"44","author":"Stern\u00e4ng","year":"2015","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref128","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1095","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.880151007","article-title":"Effects of age, sex, and anthropometric factors on nerve conduction measures","volume":"15","author":"Stetson","year":"1992","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"key":"ref129","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2179","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-020-05864-1","article-title":"Effects of force level and task difficulty on force control performance in elderly people","volume":"238","author":"Strote","year":"2020","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref130","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"417","DOI":"10.1016\/0022-510x(72)90048-2","article-title":"The effect of age on human skeletal muscle. Studies of the morphology and innervation of muscle spindles","volume":"16","author":"Swash","year":"1972","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Sci."},{"key":"ref131","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2715","DOI":"10.1113\/JP273679","article-title":"Cortical and reticular contributions to human precision and power grip","volume":"595","author":"Tazoe","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref132","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1093\/geronj\/36.1.34","article-title":"Tactile sensitivity as a function of age","volume":"36","author":"Thornbury","year":"1981","journal-title":"J. Gerontol."},{"key":"ref133","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101014","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2024.101014","article-title":"International norms for adult handgrip strength: a systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults aged 20 to 100+ years from 69 countries and regions","volume":"14","author":"Tomkinson","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"ref134","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"716","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.20026","article-title":"Effect of aging on sensory nerve conduction study parameters","volume":"29","author":"Tong","year":"2004","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"key":"ref135","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"533","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.20392","article-title":"Variability of motor unit discharge and force fluctuations across a range of muscle forces in older adults","volume":"32","author":"Tracy","year":"2005","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"key":"ref136","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"407","DOI":"10.1002\/dev.21619","article-title":"Manual dexterity in young and healthy older adults. 1. Age- and gender-related differences in unimanual and bimanual performance","volume":"60","author":"Vasylenko","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dev. Psychobiol."},{"key":"ref137","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1529-8027.2000.00026.x","article-title":"Influence of aging on peripheral nerve function and regeneration","volume":"5","author":"Verd\u00fa","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Peripher. Nerv. Syst."},{"key":"ref138","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cortex.2017.04.007","article-title":"Human dorsomedial parieto-motor circuit specifies grasp during the planning of goal-directed hand actions","volume":"92","author":"Vesia","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cortex"},{"key":"ref139","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"685","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2018.7851","article-title":"Hand-grip strength: normative reference values and equations for individuals 18 to 85 years of age residing in the United States","volume":"48","author":"Wang","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref140","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ogla.2024.12.008","article-title":"Eye drop instillation success and hand function in adults with glaucoma: a pilot study","volume":"8","author":"Weber","year":"2025","journal-title":"Ophthalmol. Glaucoma"},{"key":"ref141","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1029","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-021-06280-9","article-title":"Normal aging affects unconstrained three-dimensional reaching against gravity with reduced vertical precision and increased co-contraction: a pilot study","volume":"240","author":"Wittenberg","year":"2022","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref142","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neulet.2011.06.015","article-title":"Age-related declines in the detection of passive wrist movement","volume":"500","author":"Wright","year":"2011","journal-title":"Neurosci. Lett."},{"key":"ref143","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"658","DOI":"10.3390\/biomimetics9110658","article-title":"Compliant grasp control method for the underactuated prosthetic hand based on the estimation of grasping force and muscle stiffness with sEMG","volume":"9","author":"Xu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Biomimetics"},{"key":"ref144","volume-title":"Physiology, Motor Cortical. [Updated 2024 Jun 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]","author":"Yip","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref145","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"517","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2019.11.001","article-title":"Defining dexterity-untangling the discourse in clinical practice","volume":"33","author":"Yong","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Human Neuroscience"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnhum.2026.1779077\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]],"date-time":"2026-03-20T06:37:00Z","timestamp":1773988620000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnhum.2026.1779077\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]]},"references-count":145,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fnhum.2026.1779077"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnhum.2026.1779077","relation":{},"ISSN":["1662-5161"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1662-5161","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]]},"article-number":"1779077"}}