Mobility · Core test
Shoulder abduction test: both arms out to the side, left versus right
Your client faces the camera and raises both arms out to the side together. MovePath measures the left and right arm in one go and shows the difference between them.
Front viewBoth arms together · 3 repsResult in °About 1 min
What it measures
The angle between the trunk line and the upper-arm line, left and right separately. Arm by the side is 0°; overhead is 180°. Because the trunk is the reference, sideways trunk lean isn't counted in the shoulder angle.
Raising both arms together shows when one side stops short or stops first. With a number, you can show a client "your left side goes less high" straight away, and check next time whether the gap has closed.
One practice raise, then three measured. Each rep uses the middle value of the hold at end range.
Where to put the phone
- Face the cameraThe hands must stay in frame even with arms overhead.
- Lens at shoulder height (1.0–1.2 m)Phone upright on a tripod, 2–3 m away, 1× lens. Before each test the app checks camera height and phone tilt, and tells you what to fix if they're off.
- Both arms togetherElbows straight, raise both arms out to the side and hold at the top for over a second.
- Solo modeOnce your client is in place and passes the set-up check, the 3-2-1 starts on its own with voice prompts. No walking back to the phone.
What the report shows
- Left and right anglesA result for each arm. Values above 180° are reference values that include shoulder-blade and upper-back movement.
- Left–right differenceThe gap relative to the higher side, shown as small, medium or large.
- Reference linesAn age- and sex-based average tick and an everyday-activity line (see reference data below).
- Change since last timeOn a re-test, the first sentence states the change since last time, and a trend chart shows the same test over time.
- PhotosA frame from the test, face blurred. Taken only with the client's photo consent and kept only on the trainer's phone and in the PDF. Report links carry no photos.
- Test video ProRecord the test, replay it with joint angles, and play it side by side with the first one. Videos stay on the trainer's phone.
Reference data
Fleisig et al., active shoulder range of motion in 6,635 people (JSES International 2023, Appendix Table A-1) — age- and sex-based averages measured standing with eight markerless cameras. Averages for younger groups exceed 180°, which suggests trunk lean is included. MovePath uses the trunk as its reference and removes trunk lean, so this average is shown only as a reference tick.
Namdari et al., J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2012 — the average shoulder angle needed for everyday tasks, drawn as an everyday-activity line (128° abduction).
Please note
MovePath is not a medical device. This test records measurements to guide exercise; it is not a diagnosis. App readings may differ from a goniometer, tape measure or stopwatch. Use them to compare the same client's first test with today's, measured the same way.
Before you invest in equipment, start with your phone
One phone, 3 minutes, one report. Client photos never leave your phone. Email us and we'll let you know when early access opens.
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