Lat Pulldowns to Behind Neck

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Looking at the exercise on a basic level, the lats are a medial rotator as

well as an adductor/extensor. The pull down to the front obviously uses

these combined functions of the muscle.

Pull down behind the neck tends to put us in the " high five " position, which

for many can be a " stressful " position. This also means we have to apply

sufficient lateral rotator torque to resist the medial rotation torque from

the lats, that then starts you thinking how force is transferred from the

lateral rotators to the scapula to the axial skeleton, you then usually add

on a degree of neck flexion, further loading muscles etc etc........

I've never really done any sort of biomechanical analysis of this, but I

would be surprised, if you looked at the various lines of application of

force vs the glenohumeral joints axis of rotation and orientation, if the

glenohumeral joint was in a " stable " situation (balanced forces?). Has

anyone ever done a full biomechanical analysis? I've only ever come across

emg studies....

Most exercises are horses for courses, what do you want to train and why....

what are the risks and benefits?

Just a few random thoughts.

Steve Aspinall GSR CSCS

School of Healthcare Professions

University of Salford

Manchester

Sunny UK