title: A pointing task to improve reaching performance in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate whether adding a pointing task would influence functional reach test performance in younger and older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  While standing on a force plate, 20 older (73 ± 8 yrs) and 20 younger (23 ± 1 yrs) adults were randomly administered a modification of the functional reach test and the functional point test. Functional pointing involved reaching and pointing at the farthest possible target in a series of 1.27-cm colored craft pom-poms attached at 2.54-cm intervals on a yardstick.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both older adults (P = 0.001) and younger adults (P = 0.043) reached farther using the functional point test. Older adults also increased their anterior center of pressure displacement with this test (P = 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of a pointing task can make the original clinical test more functional and increase reaching distance in both older and younger adults. Further research is needed to determine whether functional pointing challenges subjects' stability limits more than the traditional test does and offers greater sensitivity in the evaluation of functional balance and fall risk.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858, USA.
authors.forename: Sally A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Engler
authors.forename: Kristina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lilly
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: Ksenia I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Ustinova
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult