Range of Motion

The full extent of movement possible at a joint, measured in degrees of rotation or linear distance. Range of motion is a fundamental clinical measurement used by occupational and physical therapists to assess hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder function. In accessibility contexts, reduced range of motion due to conditions such as arthritis, stroke, spinal cord injury, or age-related decline directly impacts a person's ability to interact with technology, particularly gesture-based systems that require specific finger positions or arm elevation. VR freehand gesture systems that assume full range of motion exclude users who cannot achieve the required hand poses, making adaptive gesture recognition that accommodates reduced ROM essential for inclusive design.