Circumduction Row

The Circumduction Row is an initial-to-mid-phase Strength and rehabilitative exercise used to recruit fibres of the mid-to-low Trapezius . A circumduction motion is used to place The Shoulder Girdle in a more favourable position which may be relevant for the treatment of pathologies such as Subacromial Impingement or Glenohumeral Instability .

Procedure

Starting Position:

• Patient standing facing a cable machine with one arm extended anteriorly, grasping the pulley

While the weight is engaged and arm pulled straight The Shoulder Girdle is controlled through a circumductive motion superiorly, posteriorly and then inferiorly leaving the shoulder in full Scapulothoracic Joint - Retraction and Scapulothoracic Joint - Depression .

Variation

• Hand Behind Head - the opposing hand can be placed behind the head to promote Thoracic - Extension / better general posture of the torso

Cluster

Regression

The following exercises can be used as a regression if Circumduction Rows exceed the capacity of the patient:

• Banded Unilateral Lat Activations - activate lat, posteroinferior drawer on Humerus

• Scapular Pinches - initiate/ restore Scapula Muscle activity

• Band Pull-Apart - basic isotonic exercise for Scapular Retractors

Progression

The following exercises can be used as a progression to Circumduction Rows once exercise proficiency is achieved:

• Inverted Rows - rudimentary isotonic horizontal pull exercise that utilises bodyweight

• Seated Row - rudimentary weighted isotonic horizontal pull movement

• One Arm Row - unilateral DB version of Seated Row

• Bird-Dog Row - One Arm Row variation that emphasises Posterior Sling