Shoulder Abduction ROM: Females, Age 70-74
Active shoulder abduction is the arc of arm elevation in the frontal plane, from the side of the body to fully overhead. It is used clinically to assess glenohumeral joint mobility, rotator cuff function, and subacromial impingement. Norms are based on right-shoulder measurements using a digital inclinometer in a large Australian community sample (Gill et al., 2020). Abduction values tend to run lower than flexion values at most ages, reflecting the biomechanical constraint of the acromion during lateral elevation. The gap varies across age groups and is typically larger in younger adults.
Data source: Gill 2020 About this study
Percentile Distribution (degrees)
| Percentile | Value (degrees) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 81.9 | Poor |
| 25th | 120 | Below average |
| 50th | 141.8 | Average |
| 75th | 152 | Above average |
| 95th | 180 | Excellent |
What these numbers mean for females aged 70-74
A score around 141.8 degrees is typical (50th percentile) for females in this age group. Scores above about 152 degrees fall near the 75th percentile or higher, indicating above-average performance. Scores below about 120 degrees fall near the 25th percentile, about 75% of the reference population scored higher.
Percentiles show how common a value is, not whether it is healthy.