How does mobility differ from general flexibility?

• A. Mobility requires active neuromuscular control to move through ROM
• B. Mobility is passive only
• C. Mobility is unrelated to tissue
• D. Mobility equals joint laxity

Answer: (A)

Mobility is the ability to move a joint actively through its full range of motion with coordinated muscle activation and joint control. This means the nervous system and muscles work together to generate movement, stabilize the joint, and maintain proper alignment as you move. That active control is what distinguishes mobility from simply being able to stretch into a position.

General flexibility, on the other hand, refers to how far a joint can move, often assessed passively and largely reflecting tissue extensibility (how stretchy the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules are). You can have high flexibility (great passive range) without the active strength and coordination to move through that range smoothly or safely.

So the correct idea is that mobility requires active neuromuscular control to move through ROM. The other statements fail because mobility isn’t purely passive, it isn’t unrelated to tissue, and it isn’t simply about joint laxity.