Which motion has a normative ROM of 0-35 degrees?

• A. Hip Adduction
• B. Thoracolumbar Sidebend
• C. Hip Internal Rotation
• D. Hip External Rotation

Answer: (B)

Normative ROM values capture the typical maximum movement expected in a standard position. For lateral flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, the spine allows about 30 to 40 degrees of side bending from a neutral posture, and 0-35 degrees is commonly cited as the normal range. This is because the thoracolumbar region has limited lateral flexion compared with many hip motions, reflecting the natural alignment and soft-tissue constraints of the spine.

Hip internal rotation and hip external rotation are rotations of the femur in the hip joint and generally reach larger ranges—often roughly in the 40–60 degree ballpark depending on whether the knee is flexed or extended. Hip adduction (moving the leg toward the midline) also has a broader range than a strict 0-35 degrees in many individuals, especially when not constrained by the pelvis or soft tissues. Because those hip motions typically exceed 35 degrees, the motion with a normative ROM around 0-35 degrees is the thoracolumbar sidebend.