The Straight Arm Lat Pulldown is a mid-phase isotonic exercise that emphasises the Latissimus Dorsi through a moderate-to-large shoulder elevation range and straight arm Strength . Through promotion of the involved Muscle s, this exercise may be relevant for pathologies of The Shoulder Girdle such as Scapular Dyskinesis , Subacromial Impingement , Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy or Glenohumeral Instability .
Starting Position:
Patient stands facing a cable machine with the pulley set above head height
Cable attachment (typically a straight bar or rope) is grasped with both hands while arms are held straight
The Straight Arm Lat Pulldown is then performed by drawing the cable attachment towards the thighs through GH Joint - Extension . Compensation from The Elbows and torso should be avoided and Scapulothoracic Joint - Depression should be emphasised.
“Constant Tension” - start with greater Hip - Flexion and Knee - Flexion and extend these joints until standing progressively as weight is lowered
The following exercises can be used as a regression if Straight Arm Lat Pulldown exceed the capacity of the patient:
Banded Unilateral Lat Activations - activate lat, posteroinferior drawer on Humerus
Band Pull-Apart - basic isotonic exercise for Scapular Retractors
Inverted Rows - rudimentary isotonic horizontal pull exercise that utilises bodyweight
Seated Row - rudimentary weighted isotonic horizontal pull movement
Lat Pulldown - rudimentary weighted isotonic vertical pull movement with a high range of motion
The following exercises can be used as a progression to Straight Arm Lat Pulldowns once exercise proficiency is achieved:
Bent Over Row - weighted isotonic horizontal pull exercise that emphasises entire posterior chain
DB Pullover - moderate isotonic movement with large overhead and Thoracic - Extension range
Prone Lat Pulldown - Lat Pulldown variation that emphasises Thoracic - Extension
Medball Pullover Throw - plyometric Pullover variation
Pull-Up - bodyweight or greater load through large overhead motion
Rope Climb - pull-up variation with entire load bestowed on alternating arm