D1 & D2 shoulder patterns have been around for a long time. For those of you that are not familiar with it, Here is a little background... D1 & D2 patterns are part of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) concepts. In short, the goal of using PNF patterns is to improve the neuromuscular system’s ability to coordinate movement. PNF shoulder patterns are combined movement patterns in all three planes of motion. We will describe the patterns in terms of end position. D1 (Diagonal 1) shoulder flexion is flexion, adduction, external rotation. D1 extension is extension, abduction, internal rotation. Easy way to remember - grabbing and buckling a seatbelt. D2 (Diagonal 2) shoulder flexion is flexion, abduction, external rotation. 2 extension is extension, adduction, internal rotation. Easy way to remember - throwing a baseball. Here are two exercises demonstrating some PNF shoulder patterns. The first video demonstrates concentric/eccentric D2 flexion. The second video demonstrates a variation of concentric D2 flexion and D1 extension.
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