[Study on the method of estimating upper limb reachable workspace based on shoulder joint dynamic positioning].

Abstract

Objective: To propose a functional method for locating the shoulder joint center of rotation aimed at rapid estimation of the upper limb reachable domain envelope, thereby informing ergonomic design and task optimization. Methods: In March 2024, shoulder kinematics during gait were recorded from ten adults using a three-dimensional motion-capture system. Assuming the existence of a point near the glenohumeral joint that maintains a fixed spatial relationship to the humerus and the acromion, we estimated both static and dynamic centers of rotation. Localization accuracy was quantified by the standard deviation of distance residuals to upper-arm markers. Upper-limb joint angles and anthropometric parameters were modeled via regression; combined with maximal joint ranges of motion, these were used to infer the reachable domain envelope. Results: The static center of rotation was located approximately twenty-two millimeters medial to the acromial landmark in the coronal plane and thirty-seven millimeters inferior to it. The standard deviation of the residuals for the distances from the dynamic shoulder joint center of rotation to upper-arm markers averaged 1.02 mm, which was 47.42% lower than that of the static center of rotation and 66.56% lower than that of the acromion. Moreover, the trajectory of this dynamic center showed a strong correlation with upper-limb joint angles (R(2)>0.7) . Conclusion: The proposed method enables rapid and accurate estimation of the upper limb reachable domain envelope to support ergonomic design and may help reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.