Scapular Mobility & Stability

Scapular Mobility & Stability – What

Control and movement of scapulae to support shoulder function and prevent neck/shoulder overuse

Scapular Mobility & Stability – Key Concept

Maintain width across shoulders without rounding forward or squeezing together

Scapular Mobility & Stability – Alignment

Scapulae lie flat and glide on rib cage without lifting off

Scapular Mobility & Stability – Goal

Promote control with appropriate muscle tension, not rigidity

Scapular Mobility & Stability – Key Elements

Lack of articular support, increased muscular support

Lack of Articular Support – Definition

Scapulae have no direct bony attachment to rib cage or spine

Lack of Articular Support – Result

Increased mobility of scapulae

Lack of Articular Support – Attachments

Direct to clavicle, indirect to rib cage

Increased Muscular Support – Definition

Scapulae rely on muscles for stability

Increased Muscular Support – Function

Muscles act like dynamic ligaments to control scapulae

Increased Muscular Support – Role

Maintain scapular position during rest and movement

Scapular Movements

Protraction/retraction, elevation/depression, upward/downward rotation

Push Movement Pattern – Definition

Extension of elbow, shoulder flexion, scapular protraction with or without spinal flexion

Push Movement Pattern – Muscle Focus

Anterior musculature

Push Movement Pattern – Function

Move objects away or push body away from objects

Pull Movement Pattern – Definition

Elbow flexion, shoulder extension, scapular retraction with or without spinal extension

Pull Movement Pattern – Muscle Focus

Posterior musculature

Pull Movement Pattern – Function

Move objects toward body or pull body toward objects

Push vs Pull Force

Mechanical effect used to create, stop, or modify movement

Push vs Pull Activity

Combines movement pattern and force within functional tasks

Bilateral Push in Neutral – Movement

Protract scapulae while maintaining neutral spine

Bilateral Push with Flexion – Movement

Protract scapulae with spinal flexion

Bilateral Pull in Neutral – Movement

Retract scapulae while maintaining neutral spine

Bilateral Pull with Extension – Movement

Retract scapulae with spinal extension

Rotation Movement Pattern – Concept

Combines push and pull for transverse plane movement

Rotation Movement Pattern – Muscle Use

Uses both anterior and posterior musculature

Unilateral Push Without Rotation

Protract scapula while keeping torso stable

Unilateral Push With Rotation

Protract scapula with spinal rotation

Unilateral Pull Without Rotation

Retract scapula while keeping torso stable

Unilateral Pull With Rotation

Retract scapula with spinal rotation

Torso Rotation with Push & Pull

One arm pushes (protraction) while the other pulls (retraction) to rotate spine

Rotation Correction

Emphasize push if extension bias, pull if flexion bias

Scapular Function During Movement

Respond to arm and thoracic spine motion

Scapular Example

Elevate with overhead movement, protract with thoracic flexion

Scapula Training Positions

Supine for stability and isolation, seated for range and functional challenge

Instructor Observations – Scapula

Symmetry, resting position, movement rhythm, postural control, muscle activation, bilateral vs unilateral differences

Scapular Setting – Goal

Find tension-free neutral scapular position

Scapular Setting – Movement

Elevate, widen, depress, then relax into neutral position

Scapula Isolations – Protraction

Scapulae move away from spine

Scapula Isolations – Retraction

Scapulae move toward spine

Scapula Isolations – Elevation

Scapulae lift toward ears

Scapula Isolations – Depression

Scapulae slide away from ears

Arm Scissors – Goal

Coordinate scapular movement with arm motion

Arm Scissors – Movement

Alternate one arm overhead and one down while maintaining control

Arm Circles – Goal

Integrate scapular elevation/depression with rotation

Arm Circles – Movement

Arms circle overhead and back down, reversing direction