Kinematic Analysis of Daily Activity of Touching Lateral Shoulder for Normal Subjects

Analysis of motion is needed in order to gain a better understanding of upper-limb movements. Biomechanical studies involving measurements of movement analysis are very important so that upper-limb activities can be explained. The purpose of this study was to describe the temporal analysis for different age groups and investigate the relationship between kinematical analysis movements of upper-limb joints in the "touching contra lateral shoulder" activity with different age groups. The activity included hand lifting, resting and returning the hand to the initial position with twenty healthy subjects between 24 and 56 years old (n = 60). The Vicon motion analysis system, which consists of three infrared and high-speed cameras, was used to analyze several kinematical parameters such as movement times, peak velocities and joint angles of the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Descriptive kinematic variables were obtained, and phase definitions were determined. There were significant differences among all age groups for total movement times and angles of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. The quality of movement dropped after subjects reached an age of 50. Thus, the analysis that segmented this age group may provide relevant information that will help improve the understanding of the motor system with advancing age.