Objective By collecting and analyzing the 3D human motion data, the kinematics characteristics of drinking by the left hand and the right hand of the aged were studied.The correlation between left and right hand movements was obtained, which provided data support and theoretical basis for the design of mirror recovery equipment and the program of precision rehabilitation training.Methods Sixteen elderly people accustomed to using the right hand were selected as the experimental subjects.The experimental subjects completed the action of drinking water with the left hand and the right hand.The 3D trajectories of the subjects were collected by motion capture system.The relationship between the three-dimensional motion angle and angular velocity of the left and right shoulder, elbow, wrist joint in drinking water movement were analyzed.Results Left and right hand in the sagittal axis angle of shoulder joint, elbow flexion-extension angle, pronation external rotation angle of shoulder joint and elbow pronation external rotation angle were highly correlated (r>0.8).The shoulder joint angle, and angular velocity of the coronal axis of wrist palm had low correlation (0.3<r<0.5).There was a weak correlation between left and right hand in the angular velocity of the coronal axis of the shoulder joint(0.1<r<0.3).There was significant correlation in the joint angle and angular velocity of the other upper limbs(0.5<r<0.8).Conclusions In the exercise of drinking water in the healthy aged, the rotation of the shoulder and elbow joints, and elbow flexion and extension were mainly used.The motion amplitude of the right hand in the joint flexion and extension angle were bigger than that of the left hand.And the amplitude of the rotation of the joint was smaller than that of the left hand.In the mirror rehabilitation robot design and rehabilitation trajectory planning, we should respect the differences of the left and right hand to achieve accurate rehabilitation.