What is the normal range of motion for shoulder horizontal adduction?

What is the normal range of motion for shoulder horizontal adduction?

• A. 0-135°
• B. 0-90°
• C. 0-60°
• D. 0-180°

Answer: (A)

Horizontal adduction measures how far the arm can move across the body in the horizontal plane. Start with the arm by your side (0°) and swing it across the chest toward the opposite shoulder. The typical end range is about 135°, so the normal curve is 0 to roughly 135 degrees. The smaller options describe a more limited cross-body reach, while the 0-180° option would imply a full flexion arc rather than the cross-body horizontal movement. This is useful for assessing posterior shoulder and chest flexibility and identifying restrictions.

Horizontal adduction measures how far the arm can move across the body in the horizontal plane. Start with the arm by your side (0°) and swing it across the chest toward the opposite shoulder. The typical end range is about 135°, so the normal curve is 0 to roughly 135 degrees. The smaller options describe a more limited cross-body reach, while the 0-180° option would imply a full flexion arc rather than the cross-body horizontal movement. This is useful for assessing posterior shoulder and chest flexibility and identifying restrictions.