Range of motion requirements for upper-limb activities of daily living

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. We quantified the range of motion (ROM) required for eight upper-extremity activities of daily living (ADLs) in healthy participants. METHOD. Fifteen right-handed participants completed several bimanual and unilateral basic ADLs while joint kinematics were monitored using a motion capture system. Peak motions of the pelvis, trunk, shoulder, elbow, and wrist were quantified for each task. RESULTS. To complete all activities tested, participants needed a minimum ROM of 265°/0°/105° for humeral plane angle (horizontal abduction-adduction), 0°-108° for humeral elevation, 255°/0°/79° for humeral rotation, 0°-121° for elbow flexion, 253°/0°/13° for forearm rotation, 240°/0°/38° for wrist flexion-extension, and228°/0°/38° for wrist ulnar-radial deviation. Peak trunk ROM was 23° lean, 32° axial rotation, and 59° flexion-extension. CONCLUSION. Full upper-limb kinematics were calculated for several ADLs. This methodology can be used in future studies as a basis for developing normative databases of upper-extremity motions and evaluating pathology in populations.