Range of motion refers to the extent to which a joint or group of muscles can be flexed or extended. Researchers have determined normal measurements for all major joints and muscle groups, which can be used to evaluate a patient. Exercises like yoga and pilates can increase range of motion, and specific exercises can improve the ability of various joints and muscle groups to flex and contract.
Range of motion is a term that refers to the extent to which a joint or group of muscles can be flexed or extended. By studying people in a wide variety of physical conditions, researchers have determined normal measurements for all major joints and muscle groups, and these measurements can be used to evaluate a patient. Many core exercises aim to increase this range, and people can also undertake specific exercises designed to promote greater ability to flex and extend various joints. This concept is closely related to flexibility.
In a simple example, imagine bending someone’s elbow as far as possible in a flexed position and then straightening it to a fully extended position. The variation between the flexed and extended positions indicates that person’s range of motion in the elbow joint, typically expressed in degrees. In the case of the elbow, the normal range extends from 0 to 145 degrees.
When determining how freely a patient can move particular joints and muscles, a physician or physical therapist will take both passive and active measurements. In a passive measurement, someone else gently flexes and extends the patient’s joint, while active measurements require the patient to move the joint or muscle group, sometimes working against a resistance such as a weight. Passive measurements are often higher, as the doctor may be able to push the body further than the patient can.
A huge assortment of things can affect range of motion, including disease, injury, trauma, physical activity, and other events. People with limited range can experience frustration because they can’t engage in many common tasks and may be at greater risk for injuries and other medical problems due to stiffer joints and muscle groups. For example, a woman who cannot fully bend her knee joint may be prone to a fall or injury to muscle groups in her leg.
Exercises like yoga and pilates, which are used to supplement regular exercise routines, usually increase range of motion by developing strong joints and muscle groups and pushing the muscles so they can stretch. Specific exercises can also be used to improve the ability of various joints and muscle groups to fully flex and contract, and these exercises are often part of a physical therapy regimen to help someone recover from a medical problem.
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