It is important to first differentiate between active and passive stretching or active and passive mobility. Active agility includes the actively feasible ROM (active range of motion /active degree of motion) with the help of your own strength. E.g., How far can you lift your leg forward with your own strength. The result is your active mobility in the joint.
If, on the other hand, an external stimulus is added, e.g., your partner lifts your leg up as high as possible, you do not lift your leg yourself. So it happens passively through outside influence. One speaks of passive stretching and passive mobility (passive ROM / passive mobility).
The passive range of motion is usually wider than the active range of motion.
Why is it important to know?
Let's talk about a classic. You do a split as far as you can and grab a leg or foot to stretch the back of your leg; this is usually a passive stretch. This means that if you do this regularly, your ability to do the balancing act will improve. If that's what you want, everything is fine.
However, if your goal is to be able to move actively with a higher ROM, you must actively "stretch" or move.
How this looks in practice is dealt with in the next Blog. Stay tuned.
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