Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Activities of Daily Living
Also written as: ADLs — Activities of Daily Living
Basic self-care tasks used to assess functional capacity and rehabilitation progress.
Full Definition
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are fundamental self-care tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. In exercise rehabilitation contexts, ADL assessments help clinicians measure baseline function and track recovery progress. These activities serve as both treatment goals and outcome measures, with exercise programs specifically designed to restore or improve ADL performance.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when spelled out; lowercase when using abbreviation ADLs
In Context
- "The patient's ability to perform Activities of Daily Living improved significantly after six weeks of targeted exercise rehabilitation." — Progress report
- "ADL assessments will be conducted at baseline and at four-week intervals throughout the rehabilitation program." — Treatment protocol
Also known as
ADLs
daily living activities
self-care activities
Contrasted with
instrumental activities
complex tasks
Don't confuse with
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living