Comparing in vivo three-dimensional shoulder elevation kinematics between standing and supine postures.

Background: It is often assumed that body posture, standing vs. supine, changes shoulder muscle activation and range of motion, but these altered shoulder mechanics have not been objectively assessed. We expected the supine posture might facilitate scapular rotation and change subacromial pressure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of body posture on shoulder kinematics during arm elevation.

Methods: Ten males and eight females with a mean age of 33 years participated in this study. Shoulder kinematics were assessed during scapular plane elevation in the standing and supine postures by using single-plane fluoroscopic images. Kinematics were measured using 3-dimensional to 2-dimensional model-image registration techniques: matching the 3-dimensional bone model derived from computed tomography onto each fluoroscopic image. Glenohumeral superior/inferior translation, acromiohumeral distance, and scapular rotations were compared between the postures. The effect of sex also was evaluated.

Results: With the arm at the side position, the humeral head in the supine posture was located 0.5 mm superior compared to the standing posture ( < .001). During humeral elevation, the humeral head significantly shifted more inferiorly in the supine posture than in standing; the biggest mean difference was 0.6 mm,  = .003. But acromiohumeral distance during elevation was not significantly affected by the body posture ( = .05). Scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt were significantly different between the postures ( < .001). Sex had statistically significant, but quantitatively small, effects on shoulder kinematics.

Conclusions: Body postures affect shoulder kinematics during humeral elevation. This knowledge will be useful to optimize rehabilitation exercises and for diagnostic insight.