Flexibility

Suppleness, also called flexibility, is the range of movement possible at a joint. Regular stretching can improve this range, helping a dancer move into positions requiring greater flexibility. This is a different improvement from becoming stronger: a muscle's ability to produce force is not the same as a joint's range of movement.

Flexibility is the range of movement possible at a joint. A gymnast needs sufficient hip flexibility to perform splits, while a swimmer needs shoulder flexibility for an effective stroke. Flexibility is joint-specific: good movement at one joint does not establish good flexibility everywhere.