Experiment No.

4
Measurement of different angular movement of human body for determining
comfortable working station
Introduction: For determination of joint impairments, such as elbow joint, several devices and
techniques are used, such as linear measures of distances by a ruler or tape, palpation, observation
estimations, photography, goniometer and digital tools.

Goniometer, due to low cost, portability and reliability, was used for measurement of joints range
of motions (ROM) and considered as a standard method for ROM determination. There are two
"arms" of the goniometer: the stationary arm and the moveable arm. Each arm is positioned at
specific points on the body and the center of the goniometer is aligned at the joint to be measured.

Experimentation:

1. Wrist – Extension
a. Instruct the subject to keep forearm flat against table, palm facing down.
b. Goniometer placement:
-- Place the pivot point of the goniometer at the base of the palm.
-- Place one of the goniometer arms parallel to the forearm.
-- Place the other goniometer arm parallel to the palm.
c. Movement: Subject extends the wrist up away from the table and holds this position until
measurement is completed.
2. Wrist - Flexion :
a) Instruct the subject to bend the wrist down while keeping the arm and fingers
straight. Adjust the movable arm of the goniometer to match the new placement
and direction of the hand.[
b) The pin and stationary arm of the goniometer should remain in their starting
positions.
c) Read the rotation degrees on the goniometer. This should be your measurement for
flexion.

3. Elbow - Flexion:
a) With the subject's arm extended straight out, place the goniometer over the elbow
joint and above the top of the arm.
b) The subject should extend the arm straight out to the side so that it runs
perpendicular to the line of the body. The forearm should point down. Keep the
shoulder, arm, and wrist straight.
c) Both goniometer arms should be closed and positioned over the forearm. The center
pin should rest directly over the elbow joint.
d) Instruct the subject to bend the elbow joint inward and toward the body. When the
subject reaches the full extension of this joint, extend the movable arm of the
goniometer to match the new position of the subject's forearm.
e) Take the readings.
4. Shoulder – Hyper Extension:
a) With the subject's arm hanging straight down, hold the pin of the goniometer
directly over the shoulder joint along the outside of the arm. Both goniometer arms
should point down.
b) Instruct the subject to move his or her arm straight back and upward, lifting it as far
as possible without feeling pain. At the top of the arm's rotation, position the
movable goniometer arm so that it matches the placement of the subject's arm.
c) Take the readings.
5. Knee Joint - Flexion:

a) Place the goniometer over the knee joint. With the subject's hip and knee straight, position
the pin of the goniometer over the knee joint. Both arms should be lie closed over the calf.
It might be easiest for the subject to lie face down during the test. Otherwise, the subject
will need to sit in a chair with the leg extended straight out.
b) Instruct the subject to bend the knee straight down to his or her full extension. At that point,
adjust the movable goniometer arm to match the new position of the leg.
c) The stationary arm and center pin should not change position. Take the readings.

6. Ankle joint – Plantarflexion:

a) Place the goniometer over the ankle. With the leg and foot held in their natural positions,
align the pin of the goniometer to the center of the ankle joint.
b) Instruct the subject to bend the ankle outward. At his or her full extension, adjust the
movable arm of the goniometer to match this new position.

6. Ankle joint – Dorsiflexion :

a) Place the goniometer over the ankle. With the leg and foot held in their natural positions,
align the pin of the goniometer to the center of the ankle joint.
b) Instruct the subject to bend the ankle inward. Once he or she reaches the full extension of
the joint, adjust the movable arm to match the new position.