1 Extension: The shoulders are opened which results in the movement of the arm in a backwards direction.
2 Adduction: The shoulder and arm is brought closer to the mid-line of the body.
3. Medial Rotation: The arm is rotated inwardly.
With the shoulder in a fixed position, the Latissimus Dorsi is also responsible for lifting the mid section of the torso in an upwards direction. It is the main muscle used when we participate in the chin up/pull up exercise.
The Latissimus Dorsi also assists with breathing with the forced expiration as well as deep inspiration of breathe from the lungs.