What term best describes passive ROM of a joint and surrounding soft tissue?

• A. Endurance
• B. Mobility
• C. Stability
• D. Flexibility

Answer: (D)

Passive range of motion shows how far a joint can be moved without the muscles firing, which mainly reflects how stretchy the surrounding soft tissues are. The best term for this is flexibility, because flexibility describes the length and elasticity of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and other soft tissues that allow movement through a range. Endurance is about sustaining activity over time, not tissue length. Stability concerns maintaining joint position and control, not how far tissues can stretch. Mobility often refers to movement capability in a functional sense and can include active control, whereas passive ROM specifically highlights tissue extensibility, which is the essence of flexibility.