Mobility Training
"Do you have access to your normative ranges [(of motion)], the things that all human beings do? And it turns out that the really best places to work on these things is in the gym..." - Dr. Kelly Starrett, physical therapist and co-author of “Built To Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Move Freely and Live Fully
Benefits
1. Improved Movement Efficiency and Functional Movement
A systematic review found mobility training enhances the quality of movement patterns by improving joint mechanics, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination in sport populations.
Better mobility allows muscles and joints to operate in optimal alignment, improving mechanical efficiency during physical activity¹.
3. Reduced Risk of Musculoskeletal Injury
Mobility training can reduce the likelihood of certain injuries by improving tissue extensibility, joint mechanics, and neuromuscular activation. Biomechanical research shows that improving muscle flexibility and joint mobility reduces mechanical stress on soft tissues, which may decrease strain injuries².
Additionally, meta-analysis evidence indicates that active stretching programs can reduce injury occurrence while improving performance outcomes in sport performance³.
Benefits
4. Improved Balance and Stability
In college student physical education mobility training enhances neuromuscular control, which contributes to better balance and joint stability. Studies examining hip-focused mobility and functional training show improvements in balance, stability, and movement control, particularly in athletic populations⁴.
5. Benefits for non-specific chronic lower back pain (NSCLBP) patients
A systematic review of physical activity interventions for NSCLBP, found exercise in the form of strength, aerobic or flexibility training to be of benefit for those patients. Exercise interventions, including mobility-focused modalities such as Pilates found significant reductions in back pain and improvements in flexibility⁵.
References