Flexibility & Mobility for Runners & Athletes
Great article in Runner's World by Jessica Migala about the importance of implementing flexibility and mobility into your exercise routines. Mobility and flexibility are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, they are very different and it is possible to have one without the other. Mobility is the ability to actively control movement of a joint within a given range of motion while flexibility is the passive movement of a muscle as it is lengthened or stretched within a given range. Is flexibility important? Yes. Flexibility does have it's place post exercise or on recovery days for injury prevention. Flexibility is also the key component for improving your joint mobility. However, in my opinion athletes should be focusing on mobility. if you do not have adequate mobility and active control of your joints, compensatory strategies will develop, leading to potential injury down the road. It is also important to implement a strengthening program that targets the muscles in your newly improved range of motion.
