Infraspinatus and main lifts

Hi Rip,

I wanted to ask you about the role of the infraspinatus in the main lifts, specifically in the bench press and press, and in auxiliary ex. like dips. Is it just stability?

The nervous insertions of my left infraspinatus are damaged, due to an accident, accordingly the infraspinatus is atrophied. I notice it specially doing external rotation, so I was wondering about how it would affect the movements above mentioned. Currently I'm already microloading on the Press @ 119 lbs for fives. For what it's worth I'm 5.8/5.9, 189 lbs; Squat currently 297 lbs for fives moving up to previous max at 330 lbs.

Thanks,

Florian

Since these muscles are all active, but not actively producing external rotation, they will fire, get work, and be assisted by the prime movers in the exercises. If there is neuro damage, the ability to recruit them will be compromised, but an isolation exercise 1.) won't make them fire either, 2.) is not the way they are normally used anyway, and 3.) does not allow the bigger muscles to help while function returns with the slowly-healing nerve.

Does it basically means that I have a small lack of contribution on the left side due to the injury which should be compensated by the main movers by keep'on getting under the bar? Do you have any recommendation regarding programming or compound auxiliary exercises that could benefit from it or just stick to bench press and press?

I really want to get stronger, but also to have more balance between upper and lower body strength.

Just do the major exercises the way the program describes, and balance will ensue.