Age and sex differences in wrist range of motion: A population-based study of young and elderly Taiwanese adults

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most prevalent wrist-related condition, impacting both occupational tasks and daily activities. Awkward wrist postures are a major risk factor, with the likelihood of injury increasing as postures approach the wrist's range of motion (ROM). However, reference data for wrist ROM in the Taiwanese population is currently unavailable. This study examined wrist ROM in 250 participants (100 young adults and 150 elderly individuals, equally distributed by sex) using a dual-axis electro-goniometer. Measurements included ulnar deviation, radial deviation, flexion, and extension for both dominant and non-dominant wrists. Analysis of variance identified significant group differences in ulnar deviation (p < 0.001), flexion (p < 0.001), and extension (p < 0.05), with sex and hand dominance significantly influencing ulnar deviation (p < 0.01) and flexion (p < 0.05), respectively. An interaction effect between sex and dominance was observed for flexion (p < 0.05). Compared to the young group, the elderly group exhibited reduced ROM, with decreases of approximately 4° in ulnar deviation, 12° in flexion, and 4° in extension. Females exhibited greater ulnar deviation ROM than males, while the effect of hand dominance on flexion was evident only in males (+4°). Among the elderly cohort, no significant differences in ROM were observed between the 60–69 and 70–90 age subgroups.