Which muscle would be considered underactive, leading to shoulder elevation during the pushing assessment?

In the context of pushing assessments, the lower trapezius plays a crucial role in stabilizing the scapula and preventing excess elevation of the shoulders. When this muscle is underactive, it fails to provide the necessary stability and control during pushing movements, which can lead to an excessive upward movement of the shoulders, known as shoulder elevation.

The lower trapezius helps to depress and retract the scapula, counteracting the tendency of the upper trapezius and other muscles to elevate the shoulders. An underactive lower trapezius means that there is less resistance to this elevation, resulting in improper mechanics during movements that require pushing.

In contrast, other muscles listed, such as the upper trapezius, rhomboids, and serratus anterior, have different roles and may not directly contribute to the control needed to prevent shoulder elevation in this specific scenario, thus highlighting the importance of the lower trapezius in maintaining proper shoulder function during pushing activities.