Range Of Motion

Terminology:
Range of Motion - is the measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part.
Flexibility - is the range of motion around a joint, and can refer to ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones and joints. Factors that can determine one's flexibility are joint structure, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fat tissue, body temperature, activity level, gender, age, and genetics.

Importance of Range of Motion Exercises:

• Help prevent the stiffness from occurring.
• are designed to assist you in recovering or increasing a full range of motion in bending joints such as shoulders, knees, and elbows.
• to develop full and normal function of your joints
• ROM exercises are really good for client with arthritis -  should aid you in improving your health and day-to-day experience without putting undue stress and strain on your joints. The purposes of ROM exercises for those living with arthritis include maintaining bone strength, strengthening the muscles around the joints, increased energy, better and more restful sleep, weight control, and improved mood.

Importance Of Flexibility

In order for a joint to have full range of motion, it must have good flexibility. Each joint has its own level of flexibility, which is expressed in degrees. If a joint has good range of motion then it would be able to move in all planes and directions permitted to that joint. For example, the elbow, which is a hinged joint, only permits movement in one direction, but it should provide full range of motion from extension to flexion.

Types of Range of Motion:

1. Passive range of motion - The goal of these exercises is to gently increase range of motion while decreasing pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are three types of range of motion exercises:Passive range of motion (or PROM) - Therapist or equipment moves the joint through the range of motion with no effort from the patient. It is usually indicated in the joints that are inactive like client who is paralyze or with physical immobility.
2. Active-assistive range of motion - exercises are more progressive, intended for the client to perform movement around the joint, with some manual assistance from the physical therapist or from a strap or band. These exercises can often feel painful, and the muscles can feel weak. Increasing range of motion with these exercises should be a gradual advancement.
3. Active range of motion - Patient performs the exercise to move the joint without any assistance to the muscles surrounding the joint. It is highly independent and the role of the physical therapist may be simpy to provide verbal cues or instructions.

Factors Affecting ROM

There are many factors that can affect both active and passive ROM. Your lifestyle is a major contributing factor. If you are sedentary, or perform repetitive tasks throughout the day, you may have limited ROM. Injury or a chronic condition, such as arthritis, could also affect both active and passive ROM. Your body size can also limit ROM. If you are overweight, excess skin and fat could impede your movement. As you lose weight, however, you will notice that both active and passive ROM improve.