INFORMAÇÕES GERAIS ABSTRACTIntroduction: Flexibility contributes to prevention of injuries, postural changes and low back pain, and improves muscle performance during physical activity. Aims: To evaluate overall and spinal flexibility in sedentary and active men and women and to correlate the findings according to body mass index (BMI) and the practice of physical activity. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 individuals (21 men and 39 women), divided into active and sedentary groups. Anthropometric measurements, physical activity practice, Sit and Attendance test, Stibor Index, Schöber Index, Modified Schöber Index and 3rd finger test in the soil were collected. Results: There was a predominance of better flexibility in the group of active men. Active women had higher BMI (25.3 kg/m 2 ) and higher flexibility indexes compared to healthy women, whose BMI was 22.6 kg/m 2 . Conclusion: Physical activity practitioners, mainly of male gender, presented higher levels of flexibility.