Fitness Focus: Flexibility
Flexibility is an important component of physical fitness. Flexibility refers to the ability to move a joint through its full range of motion (ROM) with ease. Flexibility is joint specific. This means that good flexibility in one joint is not necessarily related to that of other joints. A person could, for example, have excellent ROM in her shoulders but have limited flexibility in her hips. Athletes such as gymnasts and hurdlers clearly must have exceptional ROM to excel in their competitive events, but for all individuals, good flexibility makes everyday movements easier. Although having good flexibility often is touted as being protective against injury, the scientific evidence is lacking. Good ROM in hips and low back along with strong abdominal muscles may help prevent or alleviate low back pain, but this point is controversial.