Hand-eye coordination is involved in many activities and it is a learned skill from birth. If there are no impairments during childhood, hand-eye coordination develops steadily from basic skills, such as grasping objects and feeding. As the skill advances, it helps with activities that include, climbing and depth perception. As you become older, other skills such as writing and batting a ball are developed. Once you reach the elder years, hand-eye coordination declines.
Identification
Hand-eye coordination is the dual effort of your eyes and hands to work together to perform a specific task. Information is received through your eyes, which is directed to your hands to control and guide your hands to accomplish something such as writing or catching a ball, according to the Encyclopedia of Children's Health website. Hand-eye coordination involves your eye's ability to understand what it sees, which includes distinguishing fine detail, aim and focus.
Effects
Decreasing hand function is associated with aging. There are changes in coordination, visual, touch and auditory processes, along with changes in the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems, according to a 1992 study published in the "Journal of American Physical Therapy Association." The decline in speed and coordination of movement are related to a decline in neuromuscular function, which happens as you age. Sensory processes that are impaired are a component of decreased motor coordination, resulting in decreased hand-eye coordination as age increases.
Expert Insight
A 2000 study published in "The Journals of Gerontology," assessed hand-eye coordination in adults aged 65 or older. Two groups participated in the study, one group consisted of ages 20 to 46 and the other group consisted of ages 67 to 87. A hand-eye exercise was administered and tests were given after to determine adaptation. Conclusion of the study was that hand-eye coordination declines with advancing age.
Considerations
A 2008 study published in the "Journal of Neuroscience," looked at the brain's gray matter and its ability to change in the older brain. Participants included elderly and young volunteers learning to juggle with three balls. The brain of a 20-year-old will change its structure when learning or practicing and this study researched whether the older or aged brain structure also changes in response to learning or practicing. Results showed that the aging brain can change in structure when learning a new hand-eye coordinated skill.
References
- Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Hand-Eye Coordination
- "Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association": Changes in Hand Function in the Aging Adult as Determined by the Jebsen Test of Hand Function
- "The Journals of Gerontology": The Effect of Aging on Adaptive Eye-Hand Coordination
- "The Journal of Neuroscience": Training-Induced Brain Structure Changes in the Elderly
