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Many criteria could be used to classify the different types of flexibility assessment. The population concerned, the more or less ecological nature of the situation used, whether it is spontaneous or reactive flexibility (Eslinger and Grattan 1993; see also Chapter 5), etc., are all criteria that could allow such a classification. In this section, we have chosen to focus on the distinction based on the type of measurement.

In the context of flexibility measurement, as in many other assessments, two main types of measurements can be used: direct measurements and indirect measurements. Measures that can be called “direct” correspond to all situations that involve an assessment of flexibility capacities through a concrete situation (a task constructed in the laboratory, in general, or a more ecological situation).

We will present the different types of direct tasks in a first part, without claiming to be exhaustive. We will see that within these tasks, different subtypes can be identified. The second type of measurement can be called “indirect”, as it is carried out by questionnaire. The questionnaire can either be filled in by the person themselves, in the case of self-assessments, or by a third party (a relative or a carer for example), in the case of hetero-assessments.

Both types of measurement have their advantages and disadvantages. Direct measurements allow an individual measurement at a given time of the individual’s flexibility; this measurement is precise and does not involve the subjectivity of any third party. Therefore, they seem more reliable and representative than indirect measurements, but they have the disadvantage of being more time consuming, and of not being able to be offered to all individuals (for example, very young children, very old people, people with certain pathologies or disabilities).

In contrast, indirect measurements are quicker and less costly to implement. They make it possible to obtain a representation of the various people close to the individual (family, caregivers, teachers, etc.) – or of the individual themselves – of their flexibility. However, they necessarily involve their subjectivity and may therefore be biased and less representative of reality.