Range of Motion Requirements for Upper-Limb Activities of Daily Living

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 -65 degrees/0 degrees/105 degrees for humeral plane angle (horizontal abduction adduction), 0 degrees-108 degrees for humeral elevation, -55 degrees/0 degrees/79 degrees for humeral rotation, 0 degrees-121 degrees for elbow flexion, -53 degrees/0 degrees/13 degrees for forearm rotation, -40 degrees/0 degrees/38 degrees for wrist flexion extension, and -28 degrees/0 degrees/38 degrees for wrist ulnar radial deviation. Peak trunk ROM was 23 degrees lean, 32 degrees axial rotation, and 59 degrees 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.