Question

If the shoulders are forward and rounded, what muscles are tight?

Answer 1

The Pectoralis Major and Minor are two muscles at the front of our chests that help move our arms and shoulders. The pec minor in particular is a big culprit in bringing our shoulders into a rounded position when it is tight.

Answer 2

Tight pectoralis minor and rotator cuff muscles often contribute to forward and rounded shoulders, while posterior muscles like the trapezius and rhomboids may be weakened.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the shoulders are forward and rounded, certain muscles are typically tight. The pectoralis minor, located on the anterior thorax, is often tight and can contribute to this rounded shoulder posture. Additionally, rotator cuff muscles, particularly the subscapularis, can also be tight, pulling the shoulders into internal rotation and contributing to the forward-rounded position. Conversely, muscles such as the trapezius and rhomboids on the posterior thorax may be weakened and stretched, which further accentuates rounded shoulders by failing to balance out the tighter anterior muscles.