Immediate Effects of Different Stretching Methods for Pectoralis Minor Muscle

Individuals will be positioned in a standing position with the elbow in 90° flexion and the shoulder in 90° abduction, placing the palm on a flat surface. For stretching, individuals will be asked to increase shoulder horizontal abduction by rotating the trunk anteriorly and contralaterally. The position will be maintained for 30 seconds and will be repeated 4 times with a 30-second rest between repetitions.

Individuals will be positioned supine with the shoulder in 90º abduction and external rotation and the elbow in 90º flexion. Stretching will be applied by the physiotherapist from just distal to the elbow in the direction of horizontal abduction of the shoulder. The position will be maintained for 30 seconds and will be repeated 4 times with a 30-second rest between repetitions.

Individuals will be in a sitting position with their hands clasped behind the head. The PM muscle will be stretched in the direction of horizontal abduction by placing the physiotherapist's hands anterior to the elbows. Passive stretching will be continued for 10 seconds, followed by 6 seconds of maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the PM muscle. The procedure will be repeated four times with 30 seconds of rest.