Which term describes the zone of resistance as motion approaches the outer limit of passive motion?

Which term describes the zone of resistance as motion approaches the outer limit of passive motion?

• A. End-play zone
• B. Neutral zone
• C. Physiological barrier
• D. Elastic barrier

Answer: (A)

Understanding how resistance appears as you move a joint passively helps you identify the end-play zone. As motion approaches the outer limit of passive range, soft tissues tighten and a subtle, progressive resistance is felt. This region—the end-play zone—is the last part of the ROM where movement is still possible but increasingly resisted just before the end range. The neutral zone is the portion of movement with minimal resistance, so it’s not describing this near-limit feel. The physiological barrier marks the functional limit of motion within normal use, not the transitional zone just before the end. The elastic barrier is the point where tissues are stretched toward their elastic limit, often after passing the end of the usual ROM, so it’s the barrier beyond the end-play zone rather than the zone itself.

Understanding how resistance appears as you move a joint passively helps you identify the end-play zone. As motion approaches the outer limit of passive range, soft tissues tighten and a subtle, progressive resistance is felt. This region—the end-play zone—is the last part of the ROM where movement is still possible but increasingly resisted just before the end range.

The neutral zone is the portion of movement with minimal resistance, so it’s not describing this near-limit feel. The physiological barrier marks the functional limit of motion within normal use, not the transitional zone just before the end. The elastic barrier is the point where tissues are stretched toward their elastic limit, often after passing the end of the usual ROM, so it’s the barrier beyond the end-play zone rather than the zone itself.