Abstract
This study investigated joint angles and whole-body angle changes required for realistic eating with chopsticks. We assessed the eating movements of 45 healthy, right-handed subjects using a three-dimensional motion capture system and observed the upper and lower limb, neck, and trunk angulations. Among these angles, the maximal and minimal flexion angles of the right elbow joints were approximately 133 and 99 degrees, respectively, and the dorsal flexion angles of the right wrist joints were approximately 30 and 10 degrees, respectively. Internal rotation of the shoulder joints was largest when picking up food with the chopsticks, while putting food into the mouth resulted in the largest flexion and abduction of the shoulder joints. Putting food in the mouth also led to extension, right lateral bending, and right rotation angles of the neck. We assume that these results will add to our basic understanding of positional assessments and interventions in patients.
