What does AROM stand for in athletic training?

Active Range of Motion (AROM) refers to the extent of movement that a joint can achieve when the individual moves it voluntarily, using their own muscle strength without assistance. In athletic training, AROM is a crucial aspect of evaluating a patient or athlete's functional capabilities and is often used to assess joint health and muscular performance. This measurement helps trainers and therapists understand the athlete's mobility and identify any limitations caused by injury or stiffness.

As AROM deals with voluntary movement initiated by the individual, it plays an important role in rehabilitation, ensuring that the athlete regains their functional range without external help, thus promoting strength and recovery. It is distinct from other terms related to range of motion, such as Assisted Range of Motion, where an external force or assistance is used to help an individual move their joints, or Assessing Range of Motion, which might refer to the process of measuring joint movement. Absolute Range of Motion is less commonly used in this context and does not specifically pertain to the athlete's self-movement capabilities.