A Three-dimensional Motion Analysis of Anterior Upper Limb Elevation with Thoracic Motion Restriction

[Purpose] To clarify changes in shoulder joint, glenohumeral joint, and scapular movements with thoracic motion restriction. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy males performed anterior elevation of both upper limbs in a standing position with and without thoracic motion restriction to compare the shoulder flexion, glenohumeral flexion, and scapular posterior tilt angles. Variations in these changes among participants were also examined. [Results] Thoracic motion restriction significantly reduced the shoulder flexion and scapular posterior tilt angles, whereas significant differences were not observed in the glenohumeral flexion angle. On the other hand, the increases or decreases in the glenohumeral flexion and scapular posterior tilt angles varied among participants. [Conclusion] The decrease in the shoulder flexion angle may be explained by a reduced scapular posterior tilt due to thoracic motion restriction, but the degree of such a change varied among participants.