Orthopedics Physical Therapy Overview of Joint Hyperextension By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 14, 2021 Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD on December 02, 2019 LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Hyperextension is an excessive joint movement in which the angle formed by the bones of a particular joint is opened, or straightened, beyond its normal, healthy, range of motion. Such a movement may potentially make that particular joint unstable, and in turn, increase the risk and likelihood for dislocation or other potential injuries of the joint. Virojt Changyencham / Getty Images Occasionally, hyperextension is referred to as a normal movement, or exercise, that positions a body part or limb posteriorly (towards the back) of the anatomical position. An example of this type of exercise is the superman exercise where the back is hyperextended compared with a normal anatomic position. Range of Motion A majority of the human body’s joints allow for certain movements. A few particular joints, like joints in the skull, do not. Those joints that do allow for motion, such as the knee or ankle, have a predetermined range of motion. This range of motion is basically how far in each direction that joint can move or bend comfortably. For example, think of the neck. You can move your neck to a certain extent in each direction, but if you turn your neck too far in one particular direction injuries can occur. The range of motion of a joint is usually measured in degrees.Each individual joint has a separate range of motion. Normal Range of Motion for Each Joint Flexion The opposite of hyperflexion is flexion. Flexion is defined as the bending of a particular joint so that the bones that form that joint are pulled closer together. During flexion, the angle between the bones of limbs at a joint is decreased. Flexion typically occurs when muscles contract and the bones thus move the nearby joint into a curved position. Flexion shortens a joint angle and extension increases it. Exercise In terms of physical fitness, hyperextension is also a type of exercise that works that middle and lower back. A hyperextension exercise can be performed by lying face down on the floor and then lifting the arms and the torso off the ground while keeping the hips and lower body even and grounded. This movement stretches muscles in the lower back. There are also pieces of equipment commonly found in gyms that can be utilized to perform hyperextension exercises. If you are unsure of which pieces of equipment to utilize in order to perform hyperextension exercises, be sure to ask a member of the staff at your gym. Example: The whiplash injury caused him to hyperextend his neck. Frequently Asked Questions What is hip hyperextension? Hyperextension of the hip refers to a hip movement that is considered dangerous and outside of its normal range of motion. A hip hyperextension can be caused by osteoarthritis, hip fracture, septic arthritis, sepsis, and more. Learn More: What is Hip Range of Motion? What is a hyperextension exercise? A hyperextension exercise usually refers to an exercise that can strengthen muscles found in the back. Studies of this exercise show that proper technique can alleviate lower back pain, a common health problem for many people.The exercise is performed by laying face down on the floor, raising your arms and torso from the ground while leaving the hips even with the ground. It can also be performed in a gym with specialized equipment. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gudavalli MR, Cambron JA, McGregor M, et al. A randomized clinical trial and subgroup analysis to compare flexion-distraction with active exercise for chronic low back pain. Eur Spine J. 2006;15(7):1070–1082. doi:10.1007/s00586-005-0021-8 Lawrence MA, Chin A, Swanson BT. Biomechanical Comparison of the Reverse Hyperextension Machine and the Hyperextension Exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2019;33(8):2053-2056. doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000003146 Yaprak, Y. PubMed Central (PMC). The effects of back extension training on back muscle strength and spinal range of motion in young females. Biology of Sport, 30(3), 201–206. Published online July 22, 2013.