Final answer:
Age-related changes in task performance include decreased reaction time, reduced physical abilities and sensory sharpness, and a decline in fluid intelligence which affects information processing, reasoning, and memory. Cognitive decline can lead to memory loss and difficulty with planning and executing tasks. Engaging in mental and physical activities can help delay cognitive decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among age-related changes in general task performance, decreased reaction time is a common factor. As people age, their physical and cognitive abilities transform. Physical declines include reduced stamina, strength, reflex times, and sensory sharpness. In terms of cognition, there are decreases in fluid intelligence, which affects information processing abilities, reasoning, and memory. Contradictory to the options provided in the question, cognitive flexibility, short-term memory, and visual acuity typically do not enhance but rather decline with age.
Cognitive decline can manifest in various ways, like disruptive memory loss or difficulty with planning and executing tasks. Moreover, brain cell count reduces over time, impacting cognitive function. This decline can be somewhat mitigated through mental and physical activity, which has been shown to delay the onset of cognitive impairment and related conditions such as dementia.
Sensory changes, such as diminished smell, taste, hearing, and vision, further contribute to altered task performance in older adults. Researchers have found that older individuals may make more errors and have slower processing times, partially due to changes in the brain's structure and functions like corticostriatal connections.