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Scapular exercise: Retraction

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Picture of the retraction scapular exercise

Illustration copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

For this exercise, you will need elastic exercise material, such as surgical tubing or Thera-band.

  • Put the band around a solid object, such as a bedpost, at about waist level. Each hand should hold an end of the band.
  • With your elbows at your sides and bent to 90 degrees, pull the band back to move your shoulder blades toward each other. Return to the starting position.
  • Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  • If you have good range of motion in your shoulders, try this exercise with your arms lifted out to the sides, with your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Raise the elastic band up to about shoulder level. Pull the band back to move your shoulder blades toward each other. Return to the starting position.
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Last Updated: 02/08/2008