Mobility Vs. Flexibility
Mobility and flexibility are the same, right? Well, they have been used interchangeably for a very long time. Although, flexibility is a component of mobility, mobility and flexibility are different.
So what’s the difference?
Mobility is the ability of a joint to move actively through a range of motion. So think of all the movements your shoulder joint does…forward, backwards, out to the side, across your body, above your head. Being able to make these movements with ease means you have mobility in your shoulder joint. Being able to do whatever daily tasks without restriction is an indicator of good joint mobility.
Flexibility is the ability of a muscle to lengthen. So to understand flexibility then think of a rubber band. If you pull both ends and it stretches (like it should) then it’s flexible. If it doesn’t stretch, it is inflexible. Same thing with your muscles. Your muscles have an elastic component in them that are designed to help the muscle stretch.
But keep in mind that being flexible isn’t a great predictor of mobility. Meaning that you can be super, super flexible and be able to wrap your leg around your head, (don’t try this at home) but you may actually have a hard time performing day to day tasks and basic movements.
Flexibility is only one of many factors in how a given joint moves. The primary determiner of how a given joint moves is its structure–how the bones meet, the shape of the bones in the joint, and how the joints tendons and ligaments connect. Everyone is built with different joint structures and, therefore, has different range of motion (ROM).
So going back to the shoulder joint and all the movements it can do, if you are unable to do some of the movements or have difficulty doing them, it is from the lack of mobility and not lack of flexibility.
Mobility seems like it is more important, but again flexibility plays an important part of being mobile. I guess that is why those 2 terms have been used interchangeably for a long time.
I have put together some mobility exercises for each of the joints that are mobile: ankles, hips, thoracic spine, shoulder and wrists. In order to keep this newsletter from becoming like a large, thick book that is used as a doorstop, I have put these exercises on my website, so that you can access them any time that you want. I have picked 3 exercises for each joint and separated them into their own section.
To access these, please click here.
Please remember to do these exercises within your level of comfort. Start slow! You want increased mobility not creating any pain.
If you have any questions or are unsure of how to do any of these exercises, please let me know and I will do my best to answer them for you.
Please stay safe and stay healthy.