In anti-Gravity MMT for Shoulder Horizontal Adduction, where is the patient positioned?

In anti-Gravity MMT for Shoulder Horizontal Adduction, where is the patient positioned?

• A. Seated with arm at 0 degrees
• B. Supine with shoulder abducted to 90 and elbow flexed to 90
• C. Prone with arm by side
• D. Supine with arm extended

Answer: (B)

Focusing on how to test a shoulder horizontal adductor against gravity, the arm is placed in a position that makes the adduction across the chest the clear, primary movement to perform. Lying supine with the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees and the elbow flexed to 90 degrees sets the arm so that bringing the forearm horizontally toward the opposite shoulder is the intended action. This setup keeps the scapula stabilized and isolates the glenohumeral motion, mainly engaging the pectoralis major, while the elbow position helps prevent other motions from contributing unintentionally. In this configuration, the examiner can apply resistance to the forearm to challenge the horizontal adduction without interference from other movements. Seated with the arm at 0 degrees, or a prone position with the arm by the side, or supine with the arm extended, would alter the starting alignment and recruit different muscles or allow compensations, making the test less specific for the horizontal adductors.

Focusing on how to test a shoulder horizontal adductor against gravity, the arm is placed in a position that makes the adduction across the chest the clear, primary movement to perform. Lying supine with the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees and the elbow flexed to 90 degrees sets the arm so that bringing the forearm horizontally toward the opposite shoulder is the intended action. This setup keeps the scapula stabilized and isolates the glenohumeral motion, mainly engaging the pectoralis major, while the elbow position helps prevent other motions from contributing unintentionally. In this configuration, the examiner can apply resistance to the forearm to challenge the horizontal adduction without interference from other movements.

Seated with the arm at 0 degrees, or a prone position with the arm by the side, or supine with the arm extended, would alter the starting alignment and recruit different muscles or allow compensations, making the test less specific for the horizontal adductors.