451
Exercise name
(Method of stretch)
Description
(Technique cues) ProgressionMuscle group: Shoulder horizontal abductors
Muscles emphasized: Posterior deltoid
Joint position: Shoulder horizontal adduction with elbow flexionE. Supine elbow across shoulder stretch
(Static)
Lie supine on the floor with the
right elbow bent facing outward at
shoulder height and the left hand
on the elbow. Use the left hand
to pull the right elbow across the
chest until a stretch is felt across
the back of the shoulder. Repeat
on the other side.
(Keep the scapulae slightly
together, and avoid letting the
scapula come forward as the arm
is brought across the body.)- Move the arm slightly farther
across the chest.
Screening Test for Shoulder Extensor Flexibility
A test is shown for measuring passive shoulder flexion, a motion that will generally reflect the flex-
ibility of the shoulder extensors in healthy dancers. While the dancer is sitting with both knees bent
and the feet on the floor, the examiner stabilizes the torso with one hand while the dancer brings one
arm as far overhead as possible without distorting torso alignment.
The axis of the goniometer is placed at the approximate axis of the shoulder joint, while the station-
ary arm is vertical and in line with the side of the torso and the moving arm is along the midline of the
upper humerus. A position with the arm straight overhead is considered “0,” and the number of degrees
the arm can be brought back beyond this point are considered a positive number. The ability to easily
achieve “0” degrees is important to allow for overhead positions, as used with partnering, without
undesired compensations of the trunk. However, many dancers exhibit much greater range of motion
in this direction, and the author considers a minimum of 10° desirable to help achieve the aesthet-
ics of various port de bras and gestural movements used in dance. If a goniometer is not available,
one can use a rough guide of being able to bring the elbow approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters)
behind the middle of the ear while vertical alignment of the head and torso are maintained.