To increase end range shoulder flexion from 120-180 degrees, which glide should be performed?

To increase end range shoulder flexion, performing an anterior glide is the most effective choice. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and its movement in shoulder flexion requires the head of the humerus to glide posteriorly as the arm moves forward.

In this case, when the shoulder is flexed, the humeral head needs to move backwards relative to the glenoid fossa. This is where the anterior glide comes into play. By applying a glide anteriorly, it creates the necessary movement that allows for the posterior translation of the humeral head within the glenoid cavity, thereby facilitating improved range of motion and increased flexion.

Other glides, such as inferior, medial, and posterior glides, do not effectively address the specific biomechanics of shoulder flexion. An inferior glide typically assists with shoulder abduction, whereas medial and posterior glides do not directly contribute to increasing flexion range. Thus, focusing on the anterior glide specifically targets the mechanics of shoulder flexion to achieve the desired increase in range from 120 to 180 degrees.