© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 12 Flexibility.

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter 12

Flexibility


Chapter Objectives

After completing this chapter, you should be able to

1. Define and measure flexibility.2. State why flexibility should be measured.3. Describe the difference between relative and absolute

flexibility tests.4. State the guidelines that should be followed in the

administration of flexibility tests.5. Prescribe activities to improve flexibility.


Flexibility is the ability to move the body joints through a maximum range of motion without undue strain.

*Not a general factor; specific to given joints and to particular sports or physical activities.

Flexion – joint angle is decreased

Extension – joint angle is increased

Flexibility


Flexibility

Flexibility depends on the soft tissues of joints (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) of a joint than on the bony structure of the joint itself.

Bony structures of certain joints do place limitations on flexibility, however.


Flexibility also related to: body size (body fat) age gender physical activity

Loss of flexibility in aging process is probably due to failure to maintain an active program of movement.

Generally, active individuals are more flexible than inactive individuals (some exceptions, however).

Habitual postures and chronic heavy work through restricted ranges of motion can lead to adaptive shorteningof muscles.

Flexibility


Why Measure Flexibility?

Flexibility important component of health-related fitness; lack of it can create functional problems or disorders.

Low back disorders is one of the most prevalent healthcomplaints (second to common cold for visits to doctors).

Many low back disorders are caused by poor muscle tone ofof lower back, poor flexibility of the lower back, and inadequate abdominal muscle tone.



Anyone with a stiff spinal column is at a disadvantage inmany physical activities; also fails to get full value fromshock-absorbing arrangement of spine.

Lack of flexibility can be responsible for:bad posturecompression of peripheral nervespainful menstruation

Short muscles also limit work efficiency; also greater riskof injury during physical activity.



Individuals with good flexibility have:greater ease of movementless stiffness of musclesenhancement of skillless chance of injury

Flexibility tests also can identify individuals with too muchflexibility.


Tests of Flexibility

Clinical assessment - Leighton Flexometer, the electrogonio-meter, and the goniometer; provide rotary measure; degrees of rotation around a 3600 arc

Practical tests – provide linear measure; tape measure, yardstick

Relative flexibility - test score (movement) compared withthe length or width of a specific body part

Absolute flexibility - measure only the movement in relationto an absolute performance goal


Pre-test Instructions for Test Performers

1. Perform 5 to 10 minutes of light aerobic exercise to warm up.

2. Perform slow, sustained static stretching of all joints to be tested.

3. Declare if they have any back problems.


Sit and Reach TestTest objective. To measure flexibility of the lower back and posterior thighs.

Age level. Five through adulthood

Logical validity; reliability coefficient reported.

Figure 12.1 included specifications of the box used for this test (next slide)

Figure 12.2 illustrates test.

Table 12.1 includes norms for ages five through college-age.


Figure 12.1 Sit and reach box.

Figure 12.2


Modified Sit and Reach Test

Individuals with short legs relative to the trunk and arms may have advantage performing previously described sit and reach test; modified test accounts for this potential bias.

Test objective. Measure flexibility of lower back and posterior thighs.

Age level. Under eighteen through fifty-plus.

Logical validity.



Directions

1.Test performer sits on floor with hips, back, and head against wall, extends legs fully and places feet against the sit-and-reach box.

2.Places the hands one on top of the other and reaches forward as far as possible without letting the head and back come off the wall; shoulders may be rounded.

(A yardstick is placed on the box with zero end pointed toward test performer and touching his/her hands. Yardstick is held in place by test administrator.



1. Gradually reaches forward three times, as yardstick is held firmly in place. Holds third stretch as far as possible for two seconds.

Scoring. Two trials administered. Score is number of inches reached to the nearest one-half inch.

Norms. Table 12.2 includes norms for ages under 18 through fifty-plus.


Sit and Reach Wall Test

Provides a quick estimate of lower back and posterior thigh flexibility.

Age level. Junior high through college-age.

Logical validity; reliability not reported.

Table 12.3 includes norms for high school through college.


Trunk and Neck

Test objective. To measure the ability to extend the trunk (relative flexibility).

Age level. Six through college-age.

Face validity; reliability and objectivity coefficients reported.


Table 12.4 reports norms for college students.


Trunk Extension

Similar to trunk-and-neck extension test, but measures absolute flexibility.


Face validity; reliability not reported.




Shoulder-and-Wrist Elevation

Test objective. To measure shoulder and wrist flexibility (relative flexibility).


Face validity; reliability and objectivity coefficients reported.



Shoulder Lift

Similar to the shoulder-and-wrist elevation test, but measures shoulder flexibility only (absolute flexibility).


Face validity; reliability not reported.




Figures 12.6 through 12.13

This figures illustrate observation measures of flexibility.

No scores are recorded for these measures.

Measures may be used to identify individuals with inadequate flexibility.


Exercises to Develop Flexibility

Three stretching techniques can be used to develop flexibility.

Static stretching involves slowly moving to a position to stretch the designated muscles and holding the position for a specified length of time (10 to 30 seconds).

The stretch for each muscle should be repeated two or three times in each stretching session.



Ballistic stretching makes use of repetitive bouncing motions.

Not recommended. Force produced by effort to stretch may be greater than the extensibility the muscle can tolerate. Also induces the stretch reflex.



Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) involves a combination of alternating contraction and relaxation of both agonist and antagonist muscles.

Requires the assistance of a partner.

Both static stretching and PNF will improve flexibility, but lack of agreement regarding which technique is superior.



Guidelines for Static Stretching

• Spend 20 to 30 seconds in a gentile, static stretch with each exercise; perform each exercise two or three times.

•Increase the extent of the stretch gradually and progressively, with full extension, flexion, or both being placed on the joint.

•Breathe slowly, rhythmically, and with control.

•Stretch beyond the normal length of the muscle, but only to the point that a slight stretch pain is felt.

• Practice regularly; perform the exercises several times each day.



Flexibility is highly specific to each joint and activity.

Flexibility exercises should be performed for each joint in which increased flexibility is desired.

Pages 138 through 139 include descriptions of static stretching exercises for the: neck anterior hip and thigh shoulder and upper chest groin area upper back posterior lower leg lower back foot and ankle trunk posterior hip, upper leg, and lower back

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 12 Flexibility.

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