Most body movements performed regularly are considered active range of motion – meaning the person initiates the action of a particular joint themselves. For example, a person raising their arm above their head.

Active range of motion refers to a person’s ability to move the joint themselves. For example, a doctor examining a patient and moving the shoulder around. Passive range of motion is the movement of a joint when moved by another. While explanations for each may get a little technical, it is important you understand the meaning for each. Medical professionals assess range of motion as either passive or active. Why does either of these terms matter? Well, especially for athletes and weekend warriors, the better your range of motion and flexibility, the less likely it is that you will sustain an orthopedic injury. A person’s flexibility can impact their range of motion. Flexibility, on the other hand, is used to describe a person’s overall ability to stretch. Specifically, range of motion refers to the degree of movement of an individual joint in the body (your hip, knee, or shoulder, for example) to its fullest potential. The term “range-of-motion” is often used interchangeably with the word “flexibility” when describing any athletic movement. Why Range-of-Motion Matters, Especially for Athletes and Weekend Warriors

Range of motion