Mobility "mismatch"

Hi everyone that might end up reading this post...

 

So, pretty vague question but here goes...

 

I notice that I've got a significant difference in my mobility between the start and end of mobility work - but only on specific ranges.

 

So for example,

- my front splits can be accessed at all times it seems. Hot or cold.

- if I try to get into middle splits, then the distance from ground to crotch is perhaps 1.5 foot. For a 5'6" guy, that seems like a lot. That said, if I wait it out, I will eventually be able to get flat tot the groud (or very close to, depending on the day).

 

So what gives? Why the huge difference in between front/middle split - even though the range in both movements is available to me?

It feels as though there's some painful restriction in the inner thigh/glute max that comes back every day to haunt my middle split, but eventually dissipates. 

 

Anyone with any insight or similar experience? 

 

 

Similar boat, and I suspect most people have a similar orientation of weakness.  Flexibility is, to a large degree,the comfort of your nervous system with the idea of moving into a particular range.  One aspect of that comfort comes with the knowledge of having the strength to get out of that range.   In a front split, the movement of the leg is forward backward, which most people are stronger with given our activities of walking, running, kicking, squatting, standing, stepping etc.  You mention that your painful restriction is in inner thigh / glute max when you attempt to side split.  These muscles are responsible for moving your leg perpendicular to the common plane described above.  Do they get as much exercise? are they as strong?  I suspect not.  As you sit in the stretch for a period of time, you remind your nervous system that you are not actually doing your self damage by being in that position, so you relax and the pain dissipates.  This is why isometric, and PNF stretches can be so effective, they build strength in range of motion, which provides comfort to your nervous system.

 

That said, there is pain and there is discomfort.  I am far from an anotomical specialist, and if you are experiencing pain I would caution you to stop or seek specialist advice.  If it is just discomfort relative to your front split however, then I would recommend building the strength of your inner thighs and glute max.

 

Flexibility is an odd beast.  I never cease to be amazed at how much deeper into a pike I can go after a set of static dish holds...