MOTOR PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS WITH MILD-TO-MODERATE PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND HEALTHY CONTROLS.

The article examines the difference of motor performance characteristics between patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and nondisabled age- and gender-matched controls. An isometric dynamometer was used to measure isometric maximal voluntary contraction force and rate of force development of the knee extensor muscles. The relationship between the assessed motor performance characteristics and the scores of Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale in PD patients was also measured.