Flexible Feats - ACCESS

Flexible Feats
Daniel Browning Smith is known to some people as Rubberboy.
He has set five world records in contortion, or twisting and
bending his body. He has been dubbed the most
flexible man in the world. Daniel grew up in
Mississippi. His dad noticed his abilities when he was
only four years old. He started performing tricks to
get the attention of his classmates. Eventually, Daniel
started training and performing with circuses and
side-shows. He traveled all over North America
performing for many audiences. Daniel can dislocate
both of his arms and legs, twist his torso around 180
degrees, and twist and bend his body to make it fit
into tiny spaces. He has appeared in commercials,
movies, and television shows performing stunts that
ordinary actors could not begin to attempt. He has
even posed and moved for video game animators so
they could study his body motions.
Daniel Browning Smith is known as a contortionist,
or a person who is much more flexible than the
average human. Contortionists move their limbs and
bodies in ways beyond what most people are capable
of doing. They commonly performed in side-shows
and circuses in the past, and today they continue to
amaze crowds as acrobats and stunt performers.
Some people refer to their abilities as being doublejointed, but is this term accurate?
Contortionists can bend and fold
their bodies in extreme ways.
How Your Body Moves
A joint is where two bones in your body meet.
The ends of your bones are covered with
cartilage so the hard surfaces of the bones do not
rub against each other. Ligaments connect your
bones together, while tendons connect your
muscles to your bones. All of these tissues work
together with your nervous system to move your
body.
There are different types of joints in your body,
including ball and socket, hinge, and gliding
joints. Joints allow your body to move, up to a
Discovery Education Science
Tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles
work together to help you move.
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Flexible Feats
certain point. If you move past this point, you can separate your
bones. This painful injury is referred to as a joint dislocation.
Contortionists like Daniel have joints that allow their bodies to
move further than the normal range. Although contortionists
are often described as being “doublejointed,” they do not have twice as
many joints as other people. Their
joints are simple much more flexible.
Hypermobility
Hypermobility is the term doctors use
to describe the condition commonly
known as being double-jointed. An
estimated 3% of all people have
hypermobility. Genetics play a role in
how a person’s joints develop.
For some people, extra flexibility can
Joint injuries can be very painful and take a long time to
lead to an interesting career, though it
heal.
requires a great deal of hard work and
extensive training. For other people,
the condition can be a source of intense pain. Some people with
hypermobility suffer from repeated dislocations and joint
damage. Hypermobile joints can also take longer to heal after
being injured. In rare cases, hypermobility is a sign of a more
serious health problem, so doctors carefully monitor some
people with this condition.
People who do not have hypermobility can
also improve their flexibility with the right
practice. Yoga, stretching, and muscle
training can help improve a person’s
flexibility. Practicing these things can also
help people stay mobile as they age. As with
all exercise, it is important to do it correctly.
You can talk to a doctor and someone who is
trained in this area for more advice if you
want to improve your flexibility. You may not
break world records like Daniel Browning
Smith, but you can improve your health and
well-being.
Discovery Education Science
Stretching can improve flexibility and strength.
© Discovery Communications, LLC