The Importance of Shoulder Stability

Why Shoulder Stability Is Important

If you are relying solely on mobility work and neglecting to improve your shoulder stability, they could be setting themselves up for injury by weakening and creating slack in the rotator cuff. Most of the shoulder’s stability comes from four small muscles collectively referred to as the rotator cuff. Only a small portion of the shoulder’s stability comes from its ligamentous capsule.

The muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff work together to compress and stabilize the shoulder joint. Lack of stability can lead to multiple issues like:

• Shoulder pain with overhead movements
• Overactive pecs, lats, delts, and upper trap muscles
• Elbow, wrist, neck, and thoracic pain

The bulk of functional movement strength is generated by the large muscles that cross the shoulder: the pecs, lats, delts, and traps. The rotator cuff doesn’t generate much force, but it refines and directs the generated forces produced by the large muscles to facilitate pain-free movement.

Using the analogy of a car can help to understand how big muscles and small muscles work together. Big muscles work to accelerate the car; small muscles work to steer the car. Larger muscles can move weight more efficiently when the shoulder is stable. If these muscles act on an unstable shoulder with a weak rotator cuff, especially during activities such as weightlifting, they are more likely to lose control of the movement and sustain an injury.

How To Work On Your Shoulder Stability

Taking a few minutes in the gym or at home during your warm up to focus on shoulder stability can go a long way. Try these three shoulder stability exercises and stretches, which can help loosen tension and prevent your risk of a shoulder injury.

*Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling, or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.