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 26, 2021 Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD LinkedIn Stuart Hershman, MD, is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery. He is the director of adult spinal deformity & complex spinal reconstruction at Massachusetts General Hospital and is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Hyperextension is an excessive joint movement in which the angle formed by the bones of a particular joint is straightened beyond its normal, healthy range of motion. Such a movement may potentially make that joint unstable and increase the risk and likelihood of dislocation or other potential joint injuries. For example, a whiplash injury can cause hyperextension of the neck. Virojt Changyencham / Getty Images Occasionally, mild hyperextension is not harmful, such as the superman exercise, when the back is hyperextended compared with a normal anatomic position. Range of Motion Most of the body’s joints allow for certain movements. A few joints, like joints in the skull, do not. The joints that allow movements, such as the knee, ankle, and spine, have a range of motion. This range of motion describes how far a joint can move or bend comfortably in each direction, and it is usually measured in degrees. Each individual joint has a specific range of motion that is determined by the position of the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that make up the joint. For example, you can move your neck to a certain extent in each direction, but if you turn your neck too far in one particular direction, you can feel pain—and injuries can occur. Normal Range of Motion for Each Joint Flexion The opposite of extension is flexion. Flexion is defined as bending a joint so that the bones of the joint are moved closer together. During flexion, the angle between the bones of the joint is decreased. Flexion typically occurs when muscles contract and the bones move the nearby joint into a curved position. Flexion makes a joint angle smaller and extension increases it. Exercise In terms of physical fitness, hyperextension movements are often involved in exercises that are designed to restore a normal range of motion. For example, you may need range of motion exercises for your elbow while recovering from an injury. One type of 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 types of equipment commonly found in gyms that can be used to perform hyperextension exercises. If you are unsure of which pieces of equipment to use for hyperextension exercises, be sure to ask a member of the staff at your gym. Frequently Asked Questions What is hip hyperextension? Hyperextension of the hip refers to a hip movement that is outside its normal range of motion. A hip hyperextension problem 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 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 and raising your arms and torso off the ground. It can also be performed in a gym with specialized equipment. 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. The effects of back extension training on back muscle strength and spinal range of motion in young females. Biol Sport. 2013;30(3):201-206. doi:10.5604/20831862.1047500 By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit