Shoulder extension is when the arm returns from overhead or moves behind the body.

• A. Arm moves forward toward overhead
• B. Arm abducts
• C. Arm adducts
• D. Arm moves behind the body or returns from overhead

Answer: (D)

Shoulder extension means moving the arm backward relative to the torso, such as lowering the arm from an overhead position toward the back of the body. It is the opposite of raising the arm overhead (flexion). The phrase “returns from overhead” describes coming back from the flexed, overhead position, which is the hallmark of extension.

Moving the arm forward toward overhead is shoulder flexion, not extension. Abduction is lifting the arm away from the midline, and adduction is bringing it toward the midline, neither of which captures the backward/backward-from-overhead motion described by extension.