The purpose of this study was to describe the kinematic relationships between the humerus, scapula, and thoracolumbar spine when raising the arm overhead. The 32 female subjects performed unilateral and bilateral arm elevations while sitting. The arm(s) elevation occurred in the sagittal plane, frontal plane, and in the plane of the scapula (30 degrees forward of the frontal plane). An electromagnetic tracking system was used to detect the three-dimensional motion of the bones.