Neuromuscular Activation Patterns Affecting the Shoulder Girdle
This is the fourth of five Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars in 2026.
- Date: April 22, 2026 Wednesday, 7pm-8:30pm Central Time
- Speaker: Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA
When you register for Foundation Webinars, you will be registered for all 5 Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars for $200. If you are currently an active ALL ACCESS member, you do not need to register, as these 5 webinars are included in your membership.
With Shirley Sahrmann, a practical exploration of neuromuscular activation patterns affecting the shoulder girdle that sharpens your movement analysis and clinical reasoning.
Webinar Description
This is the fourth webinar of the five Upper Quarter Foundation Webinars. This webinar will describe the relationship between the neurological and musculoskeletal system in developing and modifying movement patterns. The importance of the pattern of activation and how that is more important than the strength of individual muscles will be discussed. The presentation will highlight how normally innervated muscles become weak and the stimulus for establishing the pattern of activation. The role of gravity and structural variations affect muscle activation, development, and skeletal adaptations are important considerations for developing a treatment program. This information is also an important base for recognizing potential injurious movement patterns. The physiological set of the movement system to minimize energy expenditure and the implications for neuromuscular adaptations will be explained. Also to be discussed is how two people can perform the same activity but use very different muscle strategies and how that affects development of a treatment program. Features of the examination used to identify the neuromuscular pattern of activation will be presented.
Learning Objectives
Upon viewing this webinar content, and passing the post-webinar quiz on the course page, the participants will be able to:
- Describe the role of the neuromuscular activation pattern on muscle development.
- Discuss why normally innervated muscles become weak.
- Discuss the physiological property of the body to minimize energy expenditure.
- Give examples of how the line of gravity affects muscle participation.
- Discuss how two individuals can perform the same motions but use different muscle
strategies. - Describe structural variations that affect the pattern of movement.
- Discuss components of the examination used to identify neuromuscular activation
patterns.
To receive CEU approved by California PT Association, participant must complete the course evaluation AND score 80% or higher on the post-webinar quiz. CEU will expire on April 22, 2027, therefore, post-webinar quiz must be passed before the recording access expires or by April 22, 2027, whichever comes first.
Schedule
Date: April 22, 2026 Wednesday (Central Time)
7pm ~ 7:05pm: Speaker introduction and announcements
7:05pm ~ 8:15pm: Lecture on Neuromuscular Activation Patterns Affecting the Shoulder Girdle
8:15pm ~ 8:30pm: Q&A and discussion
Speaker Profile: Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Sahrmann is professor emerita of physical therapy at WashU Medicine Physical Therapy. She received her BS degree in physical therapy, master’s and PhD in neurobiology from Washington University, where she was a clinician and faculty member for 56 years. Her research interests were in disordered motor control and classification of musculoskeletal disorders. Dr. Sahrmann with her colleagues at WashU Medicine Physical Therapy has been a major promotor of the movement system and the development of movement related diagnostic categories to direct physical therapy treatment which formed the basis of her published books. She has lectured extensively nationally and internationally.
