Abstract Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between range of motion (ROM) and stiffness of muscle, fascia and nerve in young and elderly individuals. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM was determined based on onset of pain using a dynamometer. Tissue stiffness was evaluated by ultrasound shear wave elastography. Dorsiflexion ROM was significantly correlated only with muscle stiffness in young individuals. In contrast, a significant correlation of dorsiflexion ROM was observed with not only muscle stiffness but also nerve stiffness in elderly individuals. These results suggest that limiting factors of joint flexibility change with aging.