What happens to joint mobility as people age?

What happens to joint mobility as people age?

• A. Range of motion becomes limited
• B. Range of motion increases
• C. Range of motion remains unchanged
• D. Joints become rigid without limit

Answer: (A)

Joint mobility tends to decrease with age. This happens as cartilage can wear down, the joint fluid decreases, and the tissues surrounding the joint—ligaments, tendons, and the joint capsule—become stiffer. Muscles may lose strength and flexibility, and pain from arthritis or repetitive use can limit movement. All of these changes together mean the range of motion is typically reduced, and joints may feel stiffer, especially after periods of inactivity or in the morning. So the most accurate idea is that range of motion becomes limited. It doesn’t usually increase or stay exactly the same, and while stiffness can occur, joints don’t become rigid without limit—there is still some movement, just less than in younger years. Regular movement and targeted exercises can help preserve ROM, but the general trend with aging is toward reduced joint mobility.

Joint mobility tends to decrease with age. This happens as cartilage can wear down, the joint fluid decreases, and the tissues surrounding the joint—ligaments, tendons, and the joint capsule—become stiffer. Muscles may lose strength and flexibility, and pain from arthritis or repetitive use can limit movement. All of these changes together mean the range of motion is typically reduced, and joints may feel stiffer, especially after periods of inactivity or in the morning. So the most accurate idea is that range of motion becomes limited. It doesn’t usually increase or stay exactly the same, and while stiffness can occur, joints don’t become rigid without limit—there is still some movement, just less than in younger years. Regular movement and targeted exercises can help preserve ROM, but the general trend with aging is toward reduced joint mobility.