Which statement about hypermobility is true?

• A. It is always painful.
• B. It is not related to ROM.
• C. Joints can be looser due to low tone and may not limit ROM.
• D. It always improves strength.

Answer: (C)

Hypermobility means joints move beyond normal limits, often from ligament laxity or low muscle tone, so the joints are looser and less stably controlled. Because muscles and ligaments don’t provide as much restraint, the joints can be more supple and the range of motion may be greater instead of being restricted. That’s why the statement about joints being looser due to low tone and not necessarily limiting ROM is true. Pain isn’t required for hypermobility to be present—many people are asymptomatic or have only occasional discomfort. Strength, on the other hand, isn’t guaranteed to improve simply because the joints are hypermobile; strengthening and proprioceptive training are usually needed to help stabilize the joints, but hypermobility itself does not automatically confer greater strength.