[Influence of sex and side dominance on the results of quantitative, three-dimensional motion analysis of the upper extremities].
OBJECTIVE
Clinical assessment does not provide objective and quantitative evaluation of the shoulder function. Based on instrumental gait analysis a system for three-dimensional motion analysis of the upper extremities has been developed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of instrumental upper extremity motion analysis with respect to dependence on sex and side dominance.


METHODS
16 healthy subjects (8 male, 8 female, mean age 26 years) were included. Three-dimensional motion analysis was carried out with a video-based system and passive markers. All subjects performed two movement tasks representing activities of daily living (task A: reaching the neck, task B: removing a parking token). All joint angles of the upper extremity were recorded and graphically displayed. Additionally, a calculation of quantitative parameters was performed.


RESULTS
Contrary to expectations the task "reaching the neck" was not combined with external shoulder rotation. Females performed most of the tasks quicker and with higher reproduction accuracy. Movement reproduction accuracy was rarely dependent on dominance.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional upper extremity motion analysis of activities of daily living allows a precise and quantitative evaluation of movement patterns. The differences with respect to sex and side in a healthy group have to be respected in studies dealing with comparative shoulder function.
Müller-Rath
R
R
Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinik der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen. mueller-rath@opn-neuss.de
Disselhorst-Klug
C
C
Williams
S
S
Braun
C
C
Miltner
O
O
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*