What does horizontal abduction entail?

Horizontal abduction is defined as the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body while in a horizontal position, specifically occurring in the transverse plane. This action typically takes place when the arm or leg is raised to shoulder height or parallel to the ground and then moved laterally away from the body. For example, when extending the arm straight out to the side after it has been raised to shoulder height, this is horizontal abduction.

This movement is important in various physical activities and exercises, helping to enhance the range of motion and engage specific muscle groups. Understanding horizontal abduction is essential in fields such as physical therapy, sports science, and personal training, as it relates to body mechanics and movement patterns.