Glossary

Deutsch: Beugung / Español: Flexión / Português: Flexão / Français: Flexion / Italiano: Flessione

Flexion in the fitness context refers to a movement that decreases the angle between two body parts. It is a fundamental type of joint movement that occurs in many exercises and everyday activities, crucial for enhancing flexibility, building muscle, and improving overall physical performance.

Description

Flexion is an anatomical term used to describe the bending of a joint or the bringing together of two parts of the body, which effectively decreases the angle between them. This movement is opposite to extension, which involves increasing the angle between body parts. Common examples of flexion include bending the elbow so that the forearm approaches the upper arm, or bending the knee so that the heel moves closer to the back of the thigh.

Application Areas

Flexion is involved in numerous physical activities and is pivotal in various aspects of fitness:

• Strength Training: Many exercises incorporate flexion to target specific muscle groups. For example, bicep curls involve flexion of the elbow, and squats involve flexion of the knees and hips.
• Flexibility and Stretching: Flexion movements are essential in stretching routines to improve the range of motion and flexibility of the joints and muscles.
• Yoga and Pilates: These disciplines frequently use poses that involve flexion to enhance muscle tone, flexibility, and mind-body coordination.
• Rehabilitation: Flexion exercises are often included in physical therapy programs to restore movement and strength following injuries.

Well-Known Examples

• Bicep Curls: Involve flexion of the elbow joint to lift weights toward the chest.
• Sit-Ups: Include flexion of the abdominal region to lift the upper body towards the knees.
• Hamstring Curls: Use flexion of the knee to bring heels close to the buttocks.
• Forward Bends: Yoga poses that involve bending forward at the hip, increasing flexion to stretch the back and leg muscles.

Treatment and Risks

Effective practice of flexion in fitness involves several considerations:

• Proper Technique: It’s crucial to perform flexion movements correctly to avoid strain and injury. Proper form includes controlled movements to maximize the benefit of the exercise and minimize risk.
• Warm-Up: Engaging in a thorough warm-up helps prepare the joints and muscles for the flexion activities, reducing the likelihood of injuries.
• Progressive Overload: Gradually increasing the intensity and volume of exercises that involve flexion can help improve muscle strength and joint flexibility safely.
• Recovery and Stretching: Incorporating adequate recovery time and regular stretching can prevent stiffness and enhance the benefits of flexion exercises.

Similar Terms

• Joint Angle Reduction: A technical description of what occurs during a flexion movement.
• Bending: A layman's term often used interchangeably with flexion to describe the action of decreasing the angle between two parts of the body.

Weblinks

• psychology-lexicon.com: 'Flexion' in the psychology-lexicon.com
• psychology-lexicon.com: 'Flexion' in the psychology-lexicon.com

Summary

In the fitness context, flexion refers to the action of decreasing the angle between two parts of the body, which is a critical movement in many types of physical activities. From strength training to yoga, flexion movements help improve muscle strength, flexibility, and joint health. Properly incorporating flexion into fitness routines, along with adequate warm-up and recovery practices, can enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.

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