Man and Machine? The Measurement of Range of Movement of the Wrist

Abstract

This paper documents a pilot study undertaken to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of manually measuring the range of movement at the wrist using both a traditional goniometer and a motion capture technique (using a CODA system). Fifteen subjects, male and female 18-22 years old were measured using both techniques. The results indicate a variation of adduction and abduction values at the wrist, beyond that stated in existing references. The manual goniometric data collection was quicker than using the CODA system. A longer time period was spent in preparation and post processing of the result from the CODA system into a spreadsheet. However, the CODA system provided a more detailed description of the ROM of a wrist, highlighting the compound angle made by the wrist during the measurement of adduction and abduction which is not shown through manual goniometry.

Keywords: ergonomics, man, machine, wrist, effectiveness.