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CHAPTER 4 Health-Related Physical Fitness Testing and Interpretation 105 FLEXIBILITY Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its complete ROM. It is impor- tant in athletic performance (e.g., ballet, gymnastics) and in the ability to carry out activities of daily living. Consequently, maintaining flexibility of all joints facilitates movement, in contrast, when an activity moves the structures of a joint beyond its full ROM, tissue damage can occur. Flexibility depends on a number of specific variables including distensibility of the joint capsule, adequate warm-up, and muscle viscosity. In addition, compliance (ie., tightness) of various other tissues such as ligaments and tendons affects the ROM. Just as muscular strength and endurance is specific to the muscles involved, flexibility is joint specific; therefore, no single flexibility test can be used to evaluate total body flexibility. Laboratory tests usually quantify flexibility in terms of ROM expressed in degrees. Common devices for this purpose include goniometers, electrogoniometers, the Leighton flexometer, inclinometers, and tape measures. Comprehensive instruc- tions are available for the evaluation of flexibility of most anatomic joints (24,80). Visual estimates of ROM can be useful in fitness screening but are inaccurate relative to directly measured ROM. These estimates can include neck and trunk flexibility, hip flexibility, lower extremity flexibility, shoulder flexibility, and postural assessment. A more precise measurement of joint ROM can be assessed at most anatomic joints following strict procedures (24,80) and the proper use of a goniometer. Accurate measurements require in-depth knowledge of bone, muscle, and joint anatomy as well as experience in administering the evaluation. Table 4.15 De eee OU RL ‘Shoulder Girdle Movement Flexion 90-120 Extension 20-60 Abduction 80-100 Horizontal abduction 30-45 Horizontal adduction 90-135 Medial rotation 70-90 Lateral rotation 70-90 Elbow Movement Flexion 135-160 Supination 75-90 Pronation 75-90 Trunk Movement Flexion 120-150 Extension 20-45 Lateral flexion 10-35 Rotation 20-40 Hip Movement Flexion 90-135 Extension 10-30 Abduction 30-50 Adduction 10-30 Medial rotation 30-45 Lateral rotation 45-60 Knee Movement Flexion 130-140 Extension 5-10 ‘Ankle Movement Dorsiflexion 15-20 Plantarflexion 30-50 Inversion 10-30 Eversion 10-20 ‘Adapted from (78). 
