Why Your Shoulders Are Less Active Than You Think

 

The problem is that people tend to forget or misremember what they ate.

We also fudge a bit when it comes to foods we'd rather not admit to eating.  

 

When a handful of chips vanishes, or the extra-large scoop of peanut butter becomes a rounding error, it really throws off the results.

 

Then, when it comes to movement, we do the opposite.  People tend to overreport their physical activity levels rather than underreport them.

 

There are many reasons for these discrepancies, but a big part is called a self-serving bias. We want to believe we eat "pretty healthy" or stay "super active," so we unconsciously adjust the good stuff up and the bad stuff down.  

 

Active people have learned to account for this with data by monitoring step counts and reading nutrition labels, yet we're blissfully ignorant when it comes to our shoulders.

 

Despite regular workouts, chasing kids around, and some weekend warrior-type stuff, when it comes to the shoulders, our perception doesn't match reality.

 

In our current society, we don't use our shoulders much more than when typing, texting, driving, or occasionally reaching for an overhead cabinet. Even among active jobs like construction workers, it was measured that the arm got above 90 degrees less than 1% of the time.

 

For a joint designed to help us accomplish things across a broad range of motion, it's quietly living a limited and sedentary life.  This creeps up on us as we slowly lose strength and range of motion over time.  

 

So, what do we do with this information?

 

My friend was told by a physical therapist to stop lifting overhead "because we don't really need it for anything." Yes, that was actually her professional advice.

 

But I say ignoring our arms is a terrible solution.

 

Sure, you can get by in life without lifting your arms overhead, but why live like that?

 

Your shoulders were built for more. Limiting their use just because modern life doesn't demand it is like owning a 4x4 and never leaving the driveway.

 

Instead of letting strength and mobility fade into the background, give them a dose of movement just like you aim to hit your step counts. 

It doesn't take much.  

 

A few minutes a day with Crossover Symmetry is enough to keep the cobwebs away and preserve the range, strength, and control that your shoulders were designed for.

 

Then in your life don't forget to entertain your arms too.  Hang from a bar, do the monkey bars, try some yoga or throwing a ball sometimes.  

 

These are all things that keep your body young.  You might not need it today, but you'll sure wish you had it when the time comes.