Question

When performing the overhead squat assessment, your client's arms fall forward, which muscle would be considered most likely overactive?

1) Pectoralis major
2) Latissimus dorsi
3) Rhomboids
4) Trapezius

Answer 1

The pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi are the muscles most likely overactive when a client's arms fall forward during an overhead squat assessment, indicating tightness in these anterior thorax muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing the overhead squat assessment, if a client's arms fall forward, this may indicate that the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles are most likely overactive. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the humerus and when they are tight or overactive, they can pull the arm forward. In contrast, the rhomboids and trapezius, which are located in the posterior thorax, act to retract and stabilize the scapula, and would typically be underactive if the arms fall forward.

The rhomboids move the scapula medially and are not the muscles that would cause the arms to fall forward when they are overactive. The overactivity of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi contributes to the common postural deviation observed in an overhead squat assessment where the individual's arms drift forward due to tight anterior thorax muscles.