For Elbow Flexion in Gravity Minimized, which describes the shoulder position?

For Elbow Flexion in Gravity Minimized, which describes the shoulder position?

• A. Shoulder abducted to 90 degrees
• B. Shoulder in neutral
• C. Shoulder flexed 45 degrees
• D. Shoulder extended 180 degrees

Answer: (A)

Testing elbow flexors in gravity-minimized means removing gravity’s built-in effect on the movement and preventing the shoulder from helping or hindering the elbow action. Positioning the shoulder in 90 degrees of abduction places the arm away from the body in a way that minimizes involvement of shoulder flexors and keeps the scapula stabilized, so the elbow flexors (such as the biceps brachii and brachialis) can perform the motion mainly at the elbow. If the shoulder were in neutral, flexed, or extended, other muscles around the shoulder and chest could kick in or gravity could alter the movement pattern, making it harder to isolate the elbow flexors.

Testing elbow flexors in gravity-minimized means removing gravity’s built-in effect on the movement and preventing the shoulder from helping or hindering the elbow action. Positioning the shoulder in 90 degrees of abduction places the arm away from the body in a way that minimizes involvement of shoulder flexors and keeps the scapula stabilized, so the elbow flexors (such as the biceps brachii and brachialis) can perform the motion mainly at the elbow. If the shoulder were in neutral, flexed, or extended, other muscles around the shoulder and chest could kick in or gravity could alter the movement pattern, making it harder to isolate the elbow flexors.