Active ROM is defined as movement that is initiated and completed by the patient without assistance. Which option best matches this definition?

• A. Movements performed by the examiner with the patient relaxed
• B. Movement initiated and completed by the patient without assistance
• C. Movements that require assistance from the examiner
• D. Movements that are not assessed during exam

Answer: (B)

Active ROM reflects what a patient can move on their own, using their own muscles without any help. The correct option matches this exactly: movement initiated and completed by the patient without assistance. The other scenarios describe movements driven by the examiner (passive ROM), movements that require assistance (assisted ROM), or actions not assessed at all, none of which fit active ROM. In clinical practice, active ROM helps assess muscle strength and functional ability, while passive ROM is used to evaluate joint flexibility independent of muscle effort.