KIN 3502 - flexibility

what is flexiblity?

Range of motion (ROM) of a joint or group of joints

what is range of motion (ROM)?

the amount of available motion, or arc of motion, that occurs at a specific joint; All ROM assessments start in the anatomic start position

what are these examples of: zero degrees flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction

range of motion

what joints provide a range of motion?

gliding joints, saddle, and ball and socket

what is active ROM?

motion achieved by the client without assistance by an examiner

what is passive ROM?

the motion achieved by an examiner without the assistance from the client

true or false: Only allied health professionals should perform passive ROM assessments

true

which do you use for health related physical fitness?

active ROM

what is flexibility based on?

Specific to a joint and its surrounding tissues

what is the goal of flexibility?

Ability to move body parts through a wide ROM without undue strain to the articulations and muscle attachments

why are flexibility assessment and exercises crucial?

for lengthening muscles that are too tight

true or false: Hundreds of joints in the human body, each of which have a different level of flexibility

true

what do the agonist and antagonist pairs maintain?

appropriate ratios of strength, flexibility, and length to one another; critical for avoiding musculoskeletal injury

what are the benefits of good flexibility?

improved physical function (daily and occupational activities are easier, performance in sport and recreation is enhanced, and reduces risk of injury) and improved health and wellness (improved posture, improved back health (hamstrings & hip flexor), and some people have reduced joint pain)

what factors affect flexibility?

heredity, sex, and age

how does heredity play a role in flexiblity?

inherited anatomical differences influence flexibility; From a small ROM to hypermobility

how does sex play a role in flexiblity?

females tend to be more flexible than males

how does age play a role in flexibility?

younger people tend to be more flexible than older people

why do we assess flexibility?

Helpful to take a baseline to allow for: Comparisons later on, Changes following a training program, Creation of a training program, Serially over time as one ages, and Avoid injury

how are periodic flexibility checks helpful?

helpful in identifying joints with below desirable levels of flexibility; Targeted for improvement in exercise training programs

what are the assessment flexibility requirements?

specificity and warm-up

what is the importance of specificity when assessing flexibility?

• Flexibility is joint specific, vary depending on which muscle and joint are being evaluated.

• Rules out the possibility of a single test that can truly characterize one’s flexibility.

• Each joint has a set ROM that is unique to the function of the specific joint.

  • Important to be very familiar with typical ROM for each joint

what is the importance of a warm-up when assessing flexibility?

• An adequate warm-up is essential prior to assessing flexibility.

• The warm-up should begin with some whole-body aerobic exercise such a walking or cycling.

  • Ideally, both arms and legs should be involved to increase blood flow and temperature.

• Some passive stretching and ROM exercises of the joints to be assessed should then follow the aerobic warm-up.

what are some considerations in flexibility/ROM assessments?

Previous injuries to the joint – structural damage/ surgical procedure was needed; Specific diseases that affect the joint - e.g., arthritis

what laboratory methods are used to measure flexiblity?

Goniometry, visual estimation, radiography, photography, linear measurements, and trigonometry

what is radioagraphy?

Considered the most reliable and valid method to measure flexibility (Miller, 1985)l; Limited feasibility because of radiation exposure

what is photography?

Visualizing knee in a 2D plane simplifies measurement; Permanent record of assessment; Proper training is critical

what is goniometry?

• Most feasible method of clinical assessment of flexibility

  • Can be reliable and valid if proper test procedures are followed

  • Reliability (ROM hamstring)  r > 0.90

• uses a goniometer

what is a goniometer?

a protractor type of instrument used to measure the joint angle at both extremes in the total range of movement

how do you used a goniometer?

• All anatomic landmarks are identified

• Joint axis point has been clearly defined

• Body stabilized in proper alignment from start to ending positions

• Client is instructed to move slowly through the proper ROM and the goniometers remains aligned to each body segment

• Measurements are read and recorded correctly

• Test administrator is familiar with the normal ROM for each joint structure

• Careful observations are made whether each joint’s ROM assessment is pain free

what is ensured when using a goniometer?

• It can be challenging to maintain the arms of the goniometer along the bones of the segment, however, this is critical to the reliability and validity of the assessment.

• In addition, it is important to isolate the joint movement by stabilizing the body while moving the joint

what field methods are used to measure flexibility?

Trunk flexion (sit-and-reach) test *; Trunk extension

what is the Sit-and-Reach (Trunk Flexion)?

• Most widely used flexibility test in physical fitness programs

• Valid to measure hamstring flexibility

• Highly reliable (r > 0.90)

• Poorly correlated with clinical measure of lower back flexibility

• Important for ADL (activities of daily living)

what is trunk extension?

• Little research has been done on a valid field measure of trunk extension

• No reliability and validity information on this test

• Body weight and back extensor strength would be related to scores on this test

  • Limits its validity