Functional Range of Motion for Basic Seated Activities of Daily Living Tasks

Yuji Inagaki^1*Tomoya Ishida¹Hiroyuki Sugimori¹Takaaki Yoshimura¹Akihiro Watanabe¹Yumene Naito²Daisuke Sawamura^1*

• ¹Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
• ²Kobe Daigaku, Kobe, Japan

Introduction: Efficient performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) requires coordinated movement across multiple upper-limb joints. However, current assessments of joint range of motion (ROM) during ADLs often rely on subjective evaluation and lack precise quantitative data. The functional ROM required for upper-limb movements in a seated position remains unclear, despite its clinical relevance for older adults and individuals with mobility limitations who frequently perform ADLs while seated. Additionally, little is known about how joint-motion requirements differ across similar ADL tasks, such as eating with a spoon versus chopsticks or washing the top versus the back of the head. To address these issues, we aimed to establish standardized ROM values for common upper-limb-related ADLs using three-dimensional motion analysis to enhance rehabilitation goal setting. Methods: Thirty-one healthy adults (14 women; mean age 22.9 ± 1.9 years) completed six seated ADLs-face washing; hair washing (top, back); chopstick or spoon eating; bottled-water drinking. Marker-based motion capture (International Society of Biomechanics guidelines) recorded kinematics. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests (p < 0.05) assessed task differences.Results: Significant differences in upper limb and neck joint angles were observed across ADL tasks. Shoulder elevation was highest during back hair washing (105.0 ± 14.6°) and lowest when eating with chopsticks (39.2 ± 10.9°). Elbow flexion peaked during face washing (122.3 ± 5.2°) and back hair washing (127.9 ± 5.7°), reflecting the need for close hand-to-face contact. Wrist extension was greatest during face washing (-28.7 ± 8.5°), while a significant difference was found between chopstick (-13.7 ± 12.5°) and spoon use (-5.6 ± 5.3°, p = 0.005), indicating task-specific hand control demands. Neck flexion also varied significantly between hair washing conditions (back > top, p < 0.001). Furthermore, when eating with a bowl rather than with a plate, participants showed significantly greater shoulder elevation, elbow flexion, and forearm rotation (p < 0.01), suggesting increased ROM demands shaped by Japanese eating customs.Discussion: These reference ROMs offer objective targets for seated-ADL rehabilitation and assistive-device design. Validation in older adults and clinical populations is warranted to confirm applicability and guide goal setting.