The factors and mechanism of arm surface changes were analyzed by regression analysis for the relationship between changes in arm joint angle and arm surface changes, according to the direction of upper extremity motion. Body surface change patterns among subjects were tested also. Experiments were carried out on 3 female subjects of different body types to examine 26 motions in 4 directions for 4 upper extremity parts. The major conclusions of the study are as follows: 1. The expansion or contraction of arm surface length depends on the direction of upper extremity motion. 2. Arm surface length changes by linear expansion or contraction according to the joint angle of the direction of motion. The mechanism of arm surface changes is represented by a linear relation between arm surface changes and the (actors of the direction of upper extremity motion and arm joint angle. 3. Arm surface length shows the same pattern of body surface changes regardless of body type. A quantitative model of body surface changes at upper extremity should be developed for functional sleeve design.