Which biomechanical term refers to the movement at the shoulder during a frontal raise?

In the context of a frontal raise, the primary movement occurring at the shoulder joint is shoulder abduction. This movement involves lifting the arms away from the midline of the body in a lateral direction. During a frontal raise, the arms are lifted in front of the body, typically upwards, which corresponds to the movement pattern of shoulder abduction.

Shoulder flexion, which is indicated as the chosen answer, refers specifically to raising the arm forward and upward from a neutral position in a plane parallel to the sagittal plane. While it might seem similar, a frontal raise emphasizes lateral movement away from the body, aligning with abduction rather than flexion.

Understanding shoulder abduction is key for recognizing how exercises targeting the shoulder engage specific muscle groups and the biomechanics involved. Therefore, the correct term for the movement at the shoulder during a frontal raise is shoulder abduction.