Movement analysis

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Spine) — If the faulty movement is 'Cervical protraction and upper cervical extension', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Deep cervical flexors (weak/long)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Shoulder) — If the faulty movement is 'Less than 180° of motion (Anterior glide)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Latissimus dorsi, Pectoralis minor, Pectoralis major (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Shoulder flexor muscles (weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Inferior angle does not reach midaxillary line', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboid muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Upward rotation less than 60°', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboid muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior, Trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Does not depress at end of range', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive elevation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive abduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Serratus anterior (short & dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius, Rhomboids (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Winging of scapula', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Scapulohumeral muscles (short & weak)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive anterior glide (> 1/3 of head)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis major (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Subscapularis (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive superior glide', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Deltoid muscle (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Rotator cuff (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Flexion-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive medial rotation (scapula not abducted)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Medial rotator muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lateral rotator muscles (insufficient performance)

UE: Shoulder Extension / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Winging of scapula', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (dominant), Scapulohumeral muscles (short)

UE: Shoulder Extension / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive scapular depression', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Lower trapezius (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Upper trapezius (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Extension / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive downward rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Scapulohumeral muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior, Lower trapezius (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Extension / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive adduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Extension / Return (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior displacement of humeral head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Posterior deltoid (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Subscapularis (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Inferior angle does not reach midaxillary line', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboid muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Upward rotation less than 60°', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboid muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior, Trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Does not depress at end of range', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive elevation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive abduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Serratus anterior (short & dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius, Rhomboids (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Winging of scapula', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Scapulohumeral muscles (short & weak)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive superior glide', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Deltoid muscle (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Rotator cuff (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive anterior glide (> 1/3 of head)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis major (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Subscapularis (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Abduction-Elevation (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Decreased lateral rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Medial rotator muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lateral rotator muscles (insufficient performance)

UE: Shoulder Adduction / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Winging of scapula', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (dominant), Scapulohumeral muscles (short)

UE: Shoulder Adduction / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive scapular depression', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Lower trapezius (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Upper trapezius (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Adduction / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive downward rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Scapulohumeral muscles (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior, Lower trapezius (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Adduction / Return (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive adduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Adduction / Return (Humerus) — If the faulty movement is 'Superior glide of humeral head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Deltoid muscle (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Rotator cuff (decreased performance)

UE: Shoulder Abduction (to 135°) — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to abduct to 135° with adequate scapular upward rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius, Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Scapular Adduction — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to adduct scapula on completion of shoulder abduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor, Latissimus dorsi (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Rocking Backward (Cervical) — If the faulty movement is 'Levator scapulae definition notably prominent', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Levator scapulae (dominant as neck extensors)

UE: Rocking Backward (Cervical) — If the faulty movement is 'Extension of cervical spine and head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Levator scapulae (short & dominant)

UE: Rocking Backward (Cervical) — If the faulty movement is 'Rotation of cervical spine and head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Ipsilateral levator scapulae (short); Contralateral upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Rocking Backward (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Elevation of shoulder girdle (shrugging motion)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Levator scapulae, Rhomboids, Upper trapezius (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Rocking Backward (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive scapular abduction', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Serratus anterior (short & dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Rocking Backward (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Insufficient scapular upward rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboid muscles (short & stiff)

UE: Rocking Backward (Scapula) — If the faulty movement is 'Depression of shoulder girdle', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Latissimus dorsi (short & stiff)

UE: Rocking Backward (Glenohumeral) — If the faulty movement is 'Humeral medial rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Latissimus dorsi, Medial rotator muscles (short)

UE: Rocking Backward (Thoracic Spine) — If the faulty movement is 'Flexion/depression of thorax', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rectus abdominis (short)

UE: Rocking Backward (Thoracic Spine) — If the faulty movement is 'Unilateral rotation of thorax / rib cage prominence', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Oblique abdominal muscle (imbalanced)

UE: Rocking Forward — If the faulty movement is 'Scapular winging', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Serratus anterior (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Flexion (Quadruped) — If the faulty movement is 'Thoracic spine rotation > 1/2″ with shoulder flexion', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominal muscles (poor control)

UE: Cervical Lift Off Test — If the faulty movement is 'Cervical protraction with lift', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: SCM, Upper trapezius (tight)

Long/weak/ineffective: Deep cervical flexors (weak)

UE: Pectoralis Minor Length — If the faulty movement is 'Posterior border of acromion > 1" from table (elbow flexed/slightly flexed)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (short)

UE: Pectoralis Minor Length — If the faulty movement is 'Posterior border of acromion > 1" from table (elbow extended at side)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Short head of biceps brachii (short)

UE: Shoulder Flexion (Latissimus Dorsi) — If the faulty movement is 'Shoulder flexion < 180° with back flat', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Latissimus dorsi (short)

UE: Shoulder Flexion (Latissimus Dorsi) — If the faulty movement is 'Lumbar spine extends during shoulder flexion', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Latissimus dorsi (short & stiff)

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominal muscles (less stiff)

UE: Shoulder Flexion (Latissimus Dorsi) — If the faulty movement is 'Inferior angle of scapula extends > 1/2" beyond postlat border of thorax', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Teres major (short)

UE: Shoulder at 135° Abduction (Pec Major - Sternal) — If the faulty movement is 'Arm does not contact table', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis major - sternal portion (short)

UE: Shoulder at 135° Abduction (Pec Major - Sternal) — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior displacement of humeral head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Laxity of anterior joint capsule

UE: Shoulder at 90° Abduction (Pec Major - Clavicular) — If the faulty movement is 'Arm does not contact table', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis major - clavicular portion (short)

UE: Shoulder at 90° Abduction (Pec Major - Clavicular) — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior displacement of humeral head', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Laxity of anterior joint capsule

UE: Lateral Rotation of Shoulder — If the faulty movement is 'Less than 90° of lateral rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Teres major, Subscapularis, Pectoralis major clavicular portion (short)

UE: Lateral Rotation of Shoulder — If the faulty movement is 'Humeral anterior or superior glide / pain', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Lateral rotator muscles (stiff)

Laxity of anterior joint capsule

UE: Medial Rotation of Shoulder — If the faulty movement is 'Less than 70° of medial rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Infraspinatus, Teres minor (short & stiff)

UE: Medial Rotation of Shoulder — If the faulty movement is 'Scapular anterior tilt', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Lateral rotators (stiffer than lower trapezius)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (less stiff)

UE: Medial Rotation of Shoulder — If the faulty movement is 'Humeral anterior glide', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Laxity of anterior joint capsule

UE: Shoulder Medial Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Humeral anterior glide / pain', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Teres minor, Infraspinatus, Posterior deltoid (stiff & short)

Laxity of anterior capsule

UE: Shoulder Medial Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Scapular anterior tilt', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Medial Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Scapular elevation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Shoulder Medial Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Less than 70° of medial rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Teres minor, Infraspinatus, Posterior deltoid (short)

UE: Shoulder Medial Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to maintain position with max resistance', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Subscapularis (weak & long)

UE: Shoulder Lateral Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior/superior glide of humeral head / pain', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Posterior deltoid (dominant)

Laxity of anterior capsule

UE: Shoulder Lateral Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Abduction of scapula', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Trapezius, Rhomboids (long & weak)

UE: Shoulder Lateral Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Scapular depression', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Lower trapezius or Latissimus dorsi (dominant)

UE: Shoulder Lateral Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Less than 90° of lateral rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Teres major, Subscapularis (short)

UE: Shoulder Lateral Rotation — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to tolerate max resistance in lateral rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Posterior deltoid (weak)

UE: Lower Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Difficulty placing arm / unable to maintain position with max resistance (can after 10–15° change)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Pectoralis minor (short)

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (long)

UE: Lower Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to tolerate max resistance at any point in ROM', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Lower trapezius (weak)

UE: Lower Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Shoulder girdle elevates with max resistance', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Lower Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Scapula downwardly rotates or humerus medially rotates', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboids (dominant)

UE: Middle Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to maintain test position with max resistance (can after 10–15° change)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Middle trapezius (long)

UE: Middle Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to tolerate max resistance at any point in ROM', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Middle trapezius (weak)

UE: Middle Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Shoulder girdle elevates with max resistance', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Upper trapezius (dominant)

UE: Middle Trapezius Performance — If the faulty movement is 'Scapula downwardly rotates or humerus medially rotates', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rhomboids (dominant)

LE: Lumbar Spine — If the faulty movement is 'Lordotic curve (>30°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Iliopsoas, Lumbar paraspinals

Long/weak/ineffective: External obliques

LE: Lumbar Spine — If the faulty movement is 'Flat back (<20°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Iliopsoas, Lumbar paraspinals

LE: Thoracic Spine — If the faulty movement is 'Kyphotic curve (>40°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rectus abdominis

Long/weak/ineffective: Thoracic paraspinals

LE: Thoracic Spine — If the faulty movement is 'Flat back (<20°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Thoracic paraspinals

LE: Spine Alignment — If the faulty movement is 'Swayed back (shoulders >2" posterior to hips)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Rectus abdominis, Internal obliques

Long/weak/ineffective: External obliques

LE: Pelvic Alignment — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior pelvic tilt', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hip flexors

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominals

LE: Pelvic Alignment — If the faulty movement is 'Posterior pelvic tilt', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Abdominals

Long/weak/ineffective: Iliopsoas

LE: Hip Alignment — If the faulty movement is 'Flexed hip angle (>10°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hip flexors

LE: Hip Alignment — If the faulty movement is 'Extended hip angle (>10°)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hamstrings

Long/weak/ineffective: Iliopsoas

LE: Standing (Back to Wall) — If the faulty movement is 'Unable to flatten lordosis', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Iliopsoas, Back extensors

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominals

LE: Squat Test — If the faulty movement is 'Hip medially rotates / Increased valgus', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Hip lateral rotators, Hip abductors

LE: Squat Test — If the faulty movement is 'Hip laterally rotates / Increased varus', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hip lateral rotators

LE: Single Leg Stance — If the faulty movement is 'Trendelenburg (downward tilt of opposite pelvis)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Hip abductors (stance side)

LE: Single Leg Stance — If the faulty movement is 'Pelvic inflare (rotation toward stance leg)', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hip medial rotators

Long/weak/ineffective: Hip lateral rotators

LE: Single Leg Stance — If the faulty movement is 'Femur medially rotates', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Hip lateral rotators

LE: Quadruped Arm Raise — If the faulty movement is 'Thoracic or lumbar spine rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominals (poor control)

LE: Quadruped Leg Raise — If the faulty movement is 'Lateral pelvic rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Iliopsoas (or TFL if altered rotation/adduction)

LE: Quadruped Leg Raise — If the faulty movement is 'Lumbar extension / lordosis without hip flexor tightness', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Back extensors (dominant)

Long/weak/ineffective: Gluteals

LE: Quadruped Leg Raise — If the faulty movement is 'Medial pelvic rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Contralateral hip abductors

LE: Quadruped Leg Raise — If the faulty movement is 'Lumbar spine rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominals (poor control)

LE: Supine Thomas Test — If the faulty movement is 'Thigh does not reach table', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: Hip flexors (Rectus femoris if knee extends; Iliopsoas if reduced range remains; TFL-ITB if abduction increases range)

LE: Supine Thomas Test — If the faulty movement is 'Anterior pelvic tilt compensation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Long/weak/ineffective: Abdominals (deficient control)

LE: Supine Thomas Test — If the faulty movement is 'Excessive lateral tibial rotation', what muscle imbalance is associated with it?

Short/stiff/dominant: TFL-ITT