Shoulder External Rotation ROM: Males, Age 20-24
Active shoulder external rotation is the arc of outward rotation of the humerus with the arm held at 90 degrees of abduction. It is a key indicator of posterior capsule flexibility, rotator cuff health, and throwing mechanics. Norms are based on right-shoulder measurements using a digital inclinometer in a large Australian community sample (Gill et al., 2020). Women in this dataset show significantly higher external rotation than men, especially in younger age groups — a well-established finding attributed to differences in shoulder joint laxity and capsule compliance. For women aged 20–29, a substantial proportion reach the instrument ceiling of 90 degrees, so P95 values are capped at 90 degrees.
Data source: Gill 2020 About this study
Percentile Distribution (degrees)
| Percentile | Value (degrees) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 36.1 | Poor |
| 25th | 47 | Below average |
| 50th | 65 | Average |
| 75th | 75 | Above average |
| 95th | 88.5 | Excellent |
What these numbers mean for males aged 20-24
A score around 65 degrees is typical (50th percentile) for males in this age group. Scores above about 75 degrees fall near the 75th percentile or higher, indicating above-average performance. Scores below about 47 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.