A split is a human body configuration

Human position

Human positions refers to the different positions that the human body can take.There are several synonyms that refer to the human position, often used interchangeably, but having specific flavors....

 in which the legs are parallel to each other and extended in opposite directions. Splits are performed in various athletic activities, including dance

Dance

Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....

, figure skating

Figure skating

Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...

, gymnastics, martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

, contortionism, synchronized swimming

Synchronized swimming

Synchronized swImming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music....

, cheerleading

Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...

 and yoga

Yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...

. A person who has assumed a split position is said to be "in a split."

When executing a split, the lines defined by the inner thighs of the legs form an unusually large angle of approximately 180 degrees. This large angle significantly stretches, and thus mandates excellent flexibility of, the hamstring

Hamstring

In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...

 and iliopsoas

Iliopsoas

-External links:*...

 muscles. Consequently, splits are often used as a stretching exercise to warm up and enhance the flexibility of leg muscles.

Variations

There are two general forms of splits:

• Side splits are executed by extending the legs to the left and right of the torso. Side splits are called straddle splits in dance and yoga, and may be referred to as Chinese splits in martial arts. Other names for side splits are box splits and center splits.
• Front splits are executed by extending one leg forward of, and the other leg to the rear of the torso. In dance, a front split is named according to the leg that is extended forward (e.g., the right leg is extended forward when executing a right split). Front splits require hyper-extension of the iliofemoral ligament
  Iliofemoral ligament
  The iliofemoral ligament is a ligament of the hip joint which extends from the ilium to the femur in front of the joint. It is also referred to as the Y-ligament or the ligament of Bigelow, and any combinations of these names....
  
  , otherwise the majority of the range of motion must come from the front hip joint.

There are many variations of form and performance of splits, including:

• Oversplit, in which the angle between the legs exceeds 180 degrees.
• Suspended split, in which the body is static and supported only by the feet.
• A split leap
  Split leap
  A split leap or split jump is a sequence of body movements in which a person assumes a split position after leaping or jumping from the floor, respectively, while still in the air. Split leaps and split jumps are both found in various genres of dance including acro dance, ballet and jazz dance, and...
  
  or split jump is a split that is executed after leaping or jumping
  Jumping
  Jumping or leaping is a form of locomotion or movement in which an organism or non-living mechanical system propels itself through the air along a ballistic trajectory...
  
  , respectively, while still in the air. In figure skating, split jump
  Split jump
  A split jump is a sequence of body movements in which a split is performed after jumping, while the performer is still in the air. Split jumps are commonly found in dance, figure skating, and gymnastics, and may also be used as a form of exercise....
  
  s are sometimes called Russian jumps. These are sometimes done as an exercise.
• Standing split or vertical split, in which the leg lines are oriented vertically.
• Twisting splits are performed by transitioning from front split to side split, and then to the opposite front split.
• Martial arts split is a front split in which the back leg is rotated so the inside edge of the foot rests on the ground. It is more commonly named a "half split".

Problems associated with splits

A common problem encountered during a side split is pain in the hip joints. Usually, the reason for this is that the split is being performed improperly (the pelvis may need to be tilted forward). Another common problem encountered during splits (both front and side) is pain in the knees.

Yoga

The legs are in a front split position in the yoga poses Hanumanasana

Hanumanasana

Hanumanasana, or Monkey Pose is an asana.- Etymology :The name comes from the Sanskrit words Hanuman and asana , and commemorates the giant leap made by Hanuman to reach the Lankan islands from the mainland of India.- Description :The yogi pushes one leg forward and one leg backwards until they...

 and Kākāsana

Kākāsana

Kakasana or Crow Pose is an asana.In many instances, Crow Pose is used interchangeably with Crane Pose as both are poses where the hands are planted on the floor, the shins rest upon the upper arms, and the feet lift up...

 (the latter is suspended and the front knee is flexed).

Popular culture

Most people lack the flexibility required to execute a split and thus regard splits to be uncomfortable or even painful. Because of this widespread view, splits appear in slapstick comedy, schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. This German word is used as a loanword in English and some other languages, and has been calqued in Danish and Norwegian as skadefryd and Swedish as skadeglädje....

, and other forms of entertainment.

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...

 is known for his ability to do suspended splits. Professional wrestler Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam

Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....

 invented the "Van Dam lift", in which he lifted weights while in a suspended split; other professional wrestlers; such as Melina Perez

Melina Perez

Melina Nava Perez is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Women Superstars Uncensored. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring mononym Melina....

, Santino Marella, and Ron Killings

Ron Killings

Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik...

; have helped to popularize the split. Former Pussycat Dolls

Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...

 Kimberly Wyatt

Kimberly Wyatt

Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...

 and Carmit Bachar

Carmit Bachar

Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...

 are notable for their standing oversplits. Model Karen McDougal

Karen McDougal

Karen McDougal is an American model and actress. She is known for her appearances in Playboy magazine as Playmate of the Month for December 1997 and Playmate of the Year of 1998. In 2001, the readers of Playboy voted McDougal "No...

is notable for her straddle split.