Adaptation in velocity dependent force fields: a comparison between young and elderly subjects

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how learning process is affected in elderly subjects while they carry out pointing tasks in different force fields generated by a planar robot. In particular, the evolution of movement smoothness during the trials has been used to characterize the learning process. The results indicate that elderly people can deal with novel dynamics showing a predictable aftereffect as young subjects. However, the evolution of the smoothness of their movements was not in accordance with the standard learning process shown by the young group. These results could be partly related to the decay of basic response speed and decision making, all phenomena related to ageing.