Method: Nine healthy collegiate students (age= 20.55 ± 0.88, ht. =1687.72 ± 6.77cm, wt. = 63.02 ± 11.16kg) performed an initial baseline MMDT. At least 24 hours later, subjects completed one randomly assigned aerobic or anaerobic exercise trial, followed by a timed MMDT. The remaining exercise trial, along with a subsequent timed MMDT, was completed at least 24 hours later. Paired t-tests were run in Minitab 16 at the p< 0.05 level.
Analysis/Results: Of the six paired t-tests performed, statistical significance was found for the baseline (64.31 ± 7.98) vs. aerobic (57.33 ± 5.01) placing test (p= 0.029); the baseline (63.016 ± 21.005) vs. aerobic (50.18 ± 13.94) turning test (p=0.003); and the baseline (63.16 ± 21.005) vs. anaerobic (51.67 ± 16.73) turning test (p=0.015). Baseline (64.31 ± 7.98) vs. anaerobic (59.67 ± 2.65) placing test approached significance (p=0.052). No statistical significance was found for either of the aerobic vs. anaerobic placing or turning tests.
Conclusions: Exercise had a statistically significant impact on manual dexterity and fine motor function in a healthy population. Aerobic exercise, specifically, resulted in the largest changes in MMDT performance. As the average age of the U.S. population gets older and they attempt to maintain their independence, the information from this study could prove to be beneficial for the general population as a whole. Research of this nature could also be translated to diseased populations such as those with fibromyalgia or diabetes.