How to Screen for Overhead Stability

Imagine for a moment a young boy helping his father set up a tall ladder. The young boy kneels at the base of the ladder, firmly securing it to the ground. The father then pushes the ladder upwards, leaning it against the side of their house.

Ladder Photo .jpg

This illustration is precisely what happens at your shoulder every time you move your arm! (1) The shoulder blade (scapula) acts just like the young boy in this story. The small muscles that attach and move the scapula help to “steer” your arm into place by keeping the base in a stable position.

The muscles of the upper back work together to maintain the barbell in a good position during overhead barbell movements. Think what would happen if the father tried to set up the tall ladder without the help of his son to secure the base? This would be a recipe for disaster. The same scenario occurs when athletes perform overhead squats and snatches with poor scapular stability.

Assessing scapular stability

While there is a lot that goes into assessing your scapular stability, one simple test you can do at home is the T & Y screen. This is an easy way to uncover possible weak links in the muscles that secure your shoulder blade (17 to be exact).

Start by assuming a kneeling position with your chest facing the ground. Hold one arm directly out to your side (as if making one side of the letter T). Make sure your palm is facing toward the ground. Have a partner then push down on your outstretched arm for 3 seconds. Try to keep your arm from moving!

 

Next, take your outstretched arm and move it to an elevated position (as if now making one side of the letter Y). Again, have a partner push down on your outstretched arm for 3 seconds. Try to resist this movement as much as you can!

 

What did you feel? Was it easy or difficult for you to maintain your outstretched arm position? If you had a hard time keeping your arm from moving, it means you may have poor scapular stability.

Final Thoughts

Athletes who struggle with poor scapular stability often have difficulty with the overhead squat and barbell snatch movements. If left unchecked, this problem can even lead to the onset of shoulder and/or elbow pain. If you want to stay healthy and reach your true strength potential, focusing on stabilizing your scapula during overhead lifts is vital!

Next week we will discuss a few of our favorite ways to create a more stable platform for our overhead barbell lifts.

Until next time,

SquatBottom
Dr. Aaron Horschig, PT, DPT, CSCS, USAW

Sources

1) Terry GC, Chopp TM. Functional anatomy of the shoulder. J of Athl Training. 2000; 35(3):248-255.

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22 thoughts on “How to Screen for Overhead Stability

  1. How do I know how much force should I be able to resist? Obviously is very easy for the partner pushing down to move my arm.

  2. The first step in screening for overhead stability is to determine the amount of pressure that can be applied to the overhead. To do this, place a weight plate on top of a barbell. Then, raise it until it falls off. You can download free templates from https://masterbundles.com/templates/presentations/powerpoint/consulting/ source. The amount of weight that you can lift will give you an idea of how much pressure is needed on the barbell to keep it from falling off the bar.

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  5. Dr. Aaron Horschig, your analogy of the young boy and his father setting up a ladder to explain the role of the scapula and its stabilizing muscles in arm movement is both vivid and enlightening! The T & Y screen seems like a simple yet effective way to assess scapular stability at home. Your insights into how poor scapular stability can impact overhead squats and snatches, potentially leading to shoulder and elbow pain, are particularly valuable for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. I’m looking forward to trying out the T & Y screen and exploring ways to enhance scapular stability! For those who might be interested in delving deeper into the biomechanics of exercises and writing about it, click here for academic writing assistance. Let’s continue to explore and understand our bodies to optimize our workouts safely!

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  8. To screen for overhead stability, assess factors like equipment condition, load capacity, and environmental influences (wind, vibrations). Use tools like strain gauges or motion sensors, and follow safety protocols to prevent failures. Instanderr.net Instander – The ultimate Instagram mod! Download high-quality photos, videos, IGTV, and Reels effortlessly. Elevate your Instagram experience with Instander today!

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  10. Just like the young boy stabilizing the base of the ladder while his father raises it overhead, screening for overhead stability starts with a grounded foundation—checking for proper core control and shoulder mobility before progressing upward. This analogy reminds us how vital coordination and balance are when moving or holding objects overhead. For those looking to access quality resources on movement screening and stability training, I recommend using a free streaming app through a secure platform—start by downloading a vpn browser. This not only protects your privacy but can unlock access to content that may be geo-restricted, helping you find the best guidance no matter where you are.

  11. I used to lose my balance when doing overhead squats, but later I realized it was because my upper back and scapula weren’t stable enough. Once I started focusing on this muscle group, I felt much more secure in my grip, and I no longer had to worry about losing my form. Just like playing Sprunki Retake , if you don’t maintain a solid base rhythm, even hitting the right notes won’t work — a stable base is the key to any progress!

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