Abstract: Flexibility, defined as the range of motion (ROM) available at a joint or group of joints, plays a crucial role in athletic performance and injury prevention. It is often assumed that enhanced flexibility can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by allowing joints to move freely without mechanical restriction. However, scientific findings regarding this relationship remain inconsistent. This review explores the relationship between flexibility and sports-related injuries across various athletic populations.
Studies suggest that both insufficient and excessive flexibility can predispose athletes to injury. Limited flexibility may lead to compensatory movement patterns, resulting in increased joint stress, particularly in high-impact and repetitive motion sports such as football, basketball, gymnastics, and running. Conversely, hypermobility or joint laxity can cause joint instability, making athletes more vulnerable to sprains, strains, and dislocations. Static stretching, once widely promoted as a preventive measure, has shown mixed results in its effectiveness at reducing injury rates.
This review synthesizes findings from observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses to evaluate how flexibility influences injury incidence, considering variables such as sport type, gender, age, and level of competition. Key areas explored include the role of dynamic vs. static flexibility, muscle imbalance, flexibility asymmetry, and sport-specific ROM demands.
Results indicate that optimal (but not excessive) flexibility, tailored to the demands of the sport, is more protective than generalized stretching routines. Dynamic stretching and active ROM exercises appear more effective in injury prevention than passive static stretches alone. Additionally, individualized flexibility assessments may help identify athletes at risk due to either hypo- or hypermobility.
Understanding the complex relationship between flexibility and injury is essential for designing evidence-based warm-up routines, rehabilitation protocols, and sport-specific flexibility programs. This review highlights the importance of balance between mobility and stability, emphasizing flexibility as one of many factors influencing sports injury risk.
Keywords: Flexibility, Sports injuries, Range of motion, Static stretching, Dynamic stretching, Hypermobility, Injury prevention
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