Stretching and Flexibility preface

Table of Contents

Introduction

Physiology of Stretching

Flexibility

Types of Stretching

How to Stretch

References on Stretching

Working Toward the Splits

Normal Ranges of Joint Motion

Index

Stretching and Flexibility - Normal Ranges of Joint Motion

 

by Brad Appleton

<bradapp@enteract.com>
http://www.enteract.com/~bradapp/

 

 


 

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Normal Ranges of Joint Motion

According to Kurz, the following tables indicates the normal ranges of joint motion for various parts of the body:

 

 

Neck

 

Flexion: 70-90 degrees
Touch sternum with chin.

 

Extension: 55 degrees
Try to point up with chin.

 

Lateral bending: 35 degrees
Bring ear close to shoulder.

 

Rotation: 70 degrees left & right
Turn head to the left, then right.

 

Lumbar Spine

 

Flexion: 75 degrees
Bend forward at the waist.

 

Extension: 30 degrees
Bend backward.

 

Lateral bending: 35 degrees
Bend to the side.

 

Shoulder

 

Abduction: 180 degrees
Bring arm up sideways.

 

Adduction: 45 degrees
Bring arm toward the midline of the body.

 

Horizontal extension: 45 degrees
Swing arm horizontally backward.

 

Horizontal flexion: 130 degrees
Swing arm horizontally forward.

 

Vertical extension: 60 degrees
Raise arm straight backward.

 

Vertical flexion: 180 degrees
Raise arm straight forward.

 

Elbow

 

Flexion: 150 degrees
Bring lower arm to the biceps

 

Extension: 180 degrees
Straighten out lower arm.

 

Supination: 90 degrees
Turn lower arm so palm of hand faces up.

 

Pronation: 90 degrees
Turn lower arm so palm faces down.

 

Wrist

 

Flexion: 80-90 degrees
Bend wrist so palm nears lower arm.

 

Extension: 70 degrees
Bend wrist in opposite direction.

 

Radial deviation: 20 degrees
Bend wrist so thumb nears radius.

 

Ulnar deviation: 30-50 degrees
Bend wrist so pinky finger nears ulna.

 

Hip

 

Flexion: 110-130 degrees
Flex knee and bring thigh close to abdomen.

 

Extension: 30 degrees
Move thigh backward without moving the pelvis.

 

Abduction: 45-50 degrees
Swing thigh away from midline.

 

Adduction: 20-30 degrees
Bring thigh toward and across midline.

 

Internal rotation: 40 degrees
Flex knee and swing lower leg away from midline.

 

External rotation: 45 degrees
Flex knee and swing lower leg toward midline.

 

Knee

 

Flexion: 130 degrees
Touch calf to hamstring.

 

Extension: 15 degrees
Straighten out knee as much as possible.

 

Internal rotation: 10 degrees
Twist lower leg toward midline.

 

Ankle

 

Flexion: 45 degrees
Bend ankle so toes point up.

 

Extension: 20 degrees
Bend ankle so toes point down.

 

Pronation: 30 degrees
Turn foot so the sole faces in.

 

Supination: 20 degrees
Turn foot so the sole faces out.

 

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