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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
07:24
A Method for Quantifying Upper Limb Performance in Daily Life Using Accelerometers
Published on: April 21, 2017
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Racial/Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported Upper Limb Limitations Among U.S. Older Adults
Rachel N Logue Cook1, Matthew A Davis2,3, Rebecca E Hasson1
1School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Summary
Older adults, especially Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Blacks, face greater upper limb disability affecting daily activities. Early monitoring of upper limb function is crucial to prevent loss of independence.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Disability in activities of daily living (ADL) is a major concern for aging populations.
- Hispanic and Non-Hispanic (NH) Black older adults exhibit higher disability prevalence than NH Whites.
- Current ADL-disability measures often overlook upper limb limitations, obscuring racial/ethnic disparities in functional decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial/ethnic differences in upper limb ADL-disability among older adults.
- To identify specific upper limb tasks that are disproportionately affected by disability in minority aging populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 4,292 older adults (≥65) from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
- Participants were classified based on limitations in 5 upper-limb tasks: meal preparation, eating, dressing, overhead reaching, and grasping.
- Comparison of upper limb limitation rates across Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Mexican American groups.
Main Results:
- NH Black older adults showed significantly higher odds of difficulty with meal preparation (OR: 1.36) and dressing (OR: 1.55) compared to NH Whites.
- Mexican American older adults reported greater difficulties in meal preparation (OR: 1.70), dressing (OR: 1.63), and grasping small objects (OR: 1.48).
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities exist in self-reported upper limb ADL-disability across racial/ethnic groups, with Mexican Americans experiencing notable challenges.
- Findings highlight the necessity of routine upper limb function assessment in all adults to detect limitations early.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address upper limb functional decline and preserve independence in aging populations.
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