Abstract

Using the mental chronometry paradigm we examined the effects of age on active and imagined durations of a walking task across 7 distances in three groups of older women (57 to 69 years, n = 13, M = 63.5; SD = 3.43; 70 to 79 years, n=10, M = 73.9; SD = 3.11; =80 years, n=12, M = 86.4; SD = 3.15) and 12 younger women aged 19 to 29 years (M = 23.0; SD = 3.5). Results showed almost identical durations for all shorter distances (7 to 19m) between 57- to 80-year-olds and students. Durations for active walking were on average of 45% longer in the old-old adults (80+), but this effect was not found in imagined walking. Age-related changes in the gait pattern seemed not to be reflected in the mental simulation especially in the old-old group. Further studies combining mental chronometry, testing of cognitive abilities and physical function should help elucidate the link between motor imagery and the integrity of neurocognitive networks in older adults. Verf.-Referat