Injury Prevention: Mobility and Flexibility

Week 2 of our injury prevention series includes discussing mobility, flexibility and their roles in injury prevention. In terms of mobility we refer to a joints ability to go through the full range of motion in an appropriate manner. Flexibility is the ability for a muscle to be stretched beyond its resting length.

Given their definitions it becomes quite obvious as to why an athlete needs to be proficient in these areas. For instance, if the hamstrings lack flexibility it impacts the mechanics of the knee drive during sprinting. Likewise if the shoulder lacks general mobility a baseball player cannot properly throw a ball without compensating elsewhere. Often times, people believe the most flexible and mobile athlete will be the most successful. In reality, each sport requires specific demands and different levels of optimal flexibility and mobility.

Did you know resistance training can increase flexibility? Did you know it can also decrease flexibility if done incorrectly? Developing an effective resistance program and properly executing each exercise through a full range of motion aids in increasing flexibility. The combination of strength and stability decreases the risk of injury and increases overall strength, body control, and ultimately athletic performance.

In summary, maintaining proper mobility and flexibility within the demands of an athlete’s sport are crucial to decreasing the risk of injury and optimizing performance. Stay tuned to learn more about different types of stretching, when to stretch, and the importance of a proper warm-up!