Condition Structural Concern Benchmarked

Protracted Shoulders

Chronically protracted shoulder girdle with anterior shoulder rounding. Driven by pec major and minor shortening, posterior shoulder tightness, thoracic extension deficit, and scapular retraction weakness.

6
ROM Tests
4
Corrective Priorities
4
Risk Factors
4
Red Flags

Key ROM Tests

1 Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
2 Shoulder Internal Rotation
3 Thoracic Extension
4 Scapular Position
5 Shoulder Flexion
6 Diaphragmatic Assessment

Risk Factors Assessed

Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
Shoulder Internal Rotation
Thoracic Extension
Scapular Position

Expected Timeline

6-12 weeks for mild, 12-20 weeks for moderate, 20+ weeks for chronic with desk-bound lifestyle

Frequently Asked Questions

Can protracted shoulders be corrected with exercise?
Typical improvement timeline is 6-12 weeks for mild, 12-20 weeks for moderate, 20+ weeks for chronic with desk-bound lifestyle. The protocol includes 4 prioritized corrective interventions and screens for red flags that require medical referral.
What assessments are done for protracted shoulders?
The protocol assesses Shoulder Horizontal Abduction, Shoulder Internal Rotation, Thoracic Extension, Scapular Position. Each test identifies the specific driver of the condition, guiding the corrective sequence.
Is protracted shoulders the same for everyone?
No. The assessment differentiates structural from functional causes and identifies the individual's primary driver. The corrective plan is ordered by priority, with the highest-leverage corrections addressed first.
How do I get started with the Protracted Shoulders protocol?
Apply for an assessment through AKMI. Your coach will run the Protracted Shoulders protocol as part of your initial structural evaluation, then build a personalized corrective plan based on the findings.

Get your Protracted Shoulders assessment

Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.

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Protocol Details

Category
Condition
Subcategory
Structural Concern
ROM Tests
6
Corrective Targets
4
Benchmarked
Yes
Red Flag Screens
4
Timeline
6-12 weeks for mild, 12-20 weeks for moderate, 20+ weeks for chronic with desk-bound lifestyle
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