Hypermobility (Related impairments to ROM) is associated with which characteristic?

• A. Hypermobility indicates high tone that increases ROM
• B. Hypermobility always causes pain
• C. Low tone → joints are a little looser and not limiting ROM
• D. Hypermobility always limits ROM

Answer: (C)

Muscle tone shapes how freely joints can move and how stable they are. When tone is low (hypotonia), there’s less active and passive resistance around a joint, so the joints tend to be looser. That looseness can allow movement beyond what’s typical without the joint being held back by muscle tension, so ROM isn’t usually restricted by tone. In hypermobility, this laxity means joints move more easily and aren’t limited by tight muscles, even though stability may be compromised or other issues like proprioceptive challenges can arise. It’s not about always having pain, and hypermobility does not imply ROM is always reduced. Higher tone, in contrast, would tend to make joints stiffer and reduce ROM. Because of this, the statement linking low tone to looser joints with ROM not being limited best captures the relationship.