Section outline

  • Mobility is functional in everyday life.

    Mobility, or joint mobility, is the ability to move a limb through the full range of motion--with control. Mobility is based on voluntary movement while flexibility involves static holds and is often dependent upon gravity or passive forces. Mobility demands strength to produce full-range movement, whereas flexibility is passive, thus not strength-dependent. Mobility work reduces the potential body imbalances inherent in our athletic and recreational pursuits. The better your mobility the easier the movement will be for you, and then you can start focusing on increasing strength and improving endurance as you are in a stronger position to start off with.

    For example, the ankle needs mobility, the knee needs stability, the hip needs to be mobile, the lumbar spine needs stability, and the thoracic spine needs mobility.