In Test and Measures, which category assesses movement range?

• A. Range of motion
• B. Structural inspection
• C. Task analysis
• D. Joint integrity and mobility

Answer: (A)

Range of motion is the aspect that specifically measures how far a joint can move through its available arc. It captures movement range in both active and passive forms, telling you the limits of motion a patient can achieve and helping you detect restrictions from tight muscles, soft tissue shortening, or joint limits. This measurement guides treatment decisions like stretching, soft tissue work, or joint mobilization and is often quantified with a device like a goniometer, noting the end-feel and comparing sides to identify asymmetries or progress over time.

Other categories focus on different things. Structural inspection looks at alignment, deformities, scars, swelling, or skin changes. Task analysis examines how movement translates into functional activities, such as dressing or reaching, rather than just how far a joint can move. Joint integrity and mobility assesses the health of the joint’s structures—stability, laxity, cartilage health, and overall mobility—beyond simply the range.