Scapular problems

[physiobob]

We would need to see your scapula movements with the shirt off on video to comment on what may or may not be going on. It could be something like a palsy to the Long thoracic nerve which causes a Winged scapula

[theshoulderguy]

Hi there, If you feel as though you have a similar movement pattern to the guy in the video then I will almost guarantee that you are lifting too much weight, not keeping your spine and pelvis in neutral alignment, extending the arms (elbow) way too far behind you body and possibly have shoulder instability issues.

If you lift too heavy, have poor control of your spine, midsection and shoulder stabilisers, extend the arms too far back in an attempt to get a full range of movement then as you progress through the repetitions you will have to compensate and in this case you will start to move into a more flexed position as the latissimus shortens during the row.

As you watch the video you can see the scapula getting pulled up and over as the guy tries to complete the set.

My advice pending any gross loss of scapula control caused by injury, illness (viral infections have a habit of causing palsy's around the scapula) or poor muscle patterning is to start out light and focus on some of the issues I have highlighted above.

Ideally you want to perform the row in a variety of positions...bent over, seated, standing and a hanging pull position but also combined with rotation e.g. lawn mower starts

Good Luck!

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