During the upright row exercise, should the shoulders be abducted past what angle to reduce the risk for shoulder impingement?

During the upright row exercise, maintaining proper shoulder positioning is crucial to avoid shoulder impingement risks. The shoulders should not be abducted beyond 90 degrees during this movement. When the arms are lifted above this angle, particularly towards 120 degrees or higher, the potential for impingement increases due to the narrowing of the subacromial space, where the rotator cuff tendons may become compressed against the acromion.

Keeping the shoulders below the 90-degree mark allows for a more natural movement path, aligning the shoulder joint in a way that minimizes the risk of straining the rotator cuff and other surrounding tissues. This position helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder joint and reduces the chances of injury. Therefore, controlling shoulder abduction during the upright row to stay within or below this range is essential for safer exercise execution.