Full Range Of Motion about a joint is best described as:

• A. A single plane of movement
• B. The most stable position of the joint during load
• C. The natural anatomic beginning & end positions of a movement
• D. The maximum speed achievable through a movement

Answer: (C)

Full Range Of Motion describes the complete arc a joint can move through in a typical, unassisted movement. It is defined by the natural beginning and end positions of that movement, i.e., the full span from where the motion starts to where it ends. This can involve movement through more than one plane, depending on the joint, and it isn’t about how fast you can move or how stable a position is during load. The other ideas describe speed, stability, or movement in a single plane, which don’t capture the full span of motion. So the best description is the natural anatomic start and end positions of a movement.