Flexibility vs Mobility, What’s the Difference?
By Jared Gersch, SPT
The terms “flexibility” and “mobility” have been commonly used for decades, but what does each term actually mean? Is there a difference, and can you have one without the other?
To start, let’s define flexibility and mobility in its most basic terms:
Flexibility: Ability of a muscle or group of muscles to lengthen passively through a range of motion
Mobility: Ability to move a joint actively through a range of motion
Is There a Difference Between the Two?
- There certainly is! Essentially, mobility is like an umbrella covering a range of factors that may affect the range of motion around a joint. One of these components is flexibility – it’s difficult to move a joint if the connected muscles around it don’t stretch far enough to allow it.
- Another key difference between these two is the concept of movement patterns. Optimal mobility is the foundation to better movement patterns, where flexibility can only assist in reaching these movements.
What Are Examples of Flexibility vs Mobility?
- One way to differentiate these two terms would be using the hip and poor squatting mechanics as an example. One may have adequate hamstring flexibility, but decreased hip joint mobility. This means if they are limited in hip range of motion, stretching the hamstrings won’t improve overall movement. They would have to focus on hip joint mobilizations to restore proper joint range of motion to improve squatting mechanics.
Ways to Further Understand Flexibility and Mobility:
- Optimal mobility requires motor control, core strength and stability. A person with great mobility is able to perform functional movement patterns with no restrictions in the range of motion (ROM) of those movements. A flexible person may be able to achieve these movements, but may not have the core strength, balance, or coordination to perform the same functional movements as the person with great mobility.
How can a Physical Therapist Help?
Physical therapists are trained experts in body mechanics and diagnosing functional movement deficits. They can improve joint restrictions and enhance movement by following a hierarchy of “Mobility-Stability-Strength”. For more information and treatment options, call 518-289-5242 or contact the therapists at Capital Area Physical Therapy. Treatment is available at their Malta physical therapy clinic and Queensbury physical therapy locations.
