Final answer:
Shoulder external rotation is typically associated with a firm end feel, due to the tension in the shoulder joint capsule, ligaments, and muscular tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
In physiotherapy and manual muscle testing, end feels are used to describe the quality of the feel when slight pressure is applied at the end of a joint's passive range of motion. Regarding the question Is shoulder external rotation a firm end feel? The answer is A) Firm end feel.
During a shoulder external rotation, a firm end feel is typically encountered. This occurs because the passive tension of the shoulder joint capsule and the ligaments become taut, and the muscular tissues provide some give, preventing further motion without a 'springy' resistance. In contrast, a soft end feel would be encountered with a joint action stopped by muscle bulk or adipose tissue, a hard end feel is commonly associated with bone-to-bone contact as in elbow extension, and an empty end feel would occur if the movement is stopped by pain before the range of motion is completed.