ANALYSIS OF HIP JOINT FLEXIBILITY OF ROCK CLIMBING ATHLETES IN BEKASI CITY

Abstract

This study aimed to describe hip joint flexibility in climbers from Bekasi City and to identify differences based on skill level and gender. The research problem was rooted in the lack of objective data on active hip flexibility among athletes, while stretching programs were still general and not based on the specific movement demands of climbing. A research gap also exists because previous studies have mostly focused on passive range of motion or flexibility of certain muscle groups, so they have not yet provided a comprehensive picture of active and functional hip flexibility in the climbing context. This study used a quantitative descriptive method with a cross-sectional design involving 16 climbers from Bekasi City selected through purposive sampling. The results showed that, based on goniometer measurements, mean hip flexibility increased from the beginner category, with 111.5° on the right leg and 121.7° on the left leg, to the elite category, with 129.1° on the right leg and 132.5° on the left leg. On AGFR, the mean values increased from 50.9 cm and 50.8 cm in beginners to 105.6 cm and 107.0 cm in elite athletes. On CSFR, the mean values increased from 56.6 cm and 57.3 cm in beginners to 142.4 cm and 144.3 cm in elite athletes. On LFR, the mean values also increased from 61.8 cm and 62.9 cm in beginners to 173.2 cm and 174.7 cm in elite athletes. Overall, the left leg showed slightly higher values than the right leg in most instruments, indicating functional asymmetry. The novelty of this study lies in the combined use of anatomical measurement and climbing-specific flexibility tests to provide a more comprehensive profile of hip flexibility in climbers.