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Scapular muscle activity from selected strengthening exercises performed at low and high intensity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22076101     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A balanced level of muscle strength between the different parts of the scapular muscles is important to optimize performance and prevent injuries in athletes. Emerging evidence suggests that many athletes lack balanced strength in the scapular muscles. Evidence based recommendations are important for proper exercise prescription. This study determines scapular muscle activity during strengthening exercises for scapular muscles performed at low and high intensities (Borg-CR10 level 3 and 8). Surface electromyography (EMG) from selected scapular muscles was recorded during seven strengthening exercises and expressed as a percentage of the maximal EMG. Seventeen women (aged 24-55 years) without serious disorders participated. Several of the investigated exercises - press-up, prone flexion, one-arm row and prone abduction at Borg 3 and press-up, push-up plus and one-arm row at Borg 8 - predominantly activated the lower trapezius over the upper trapezius (activation difference (Δ) 13-30%). Likewise, several of the exercises - push-up plus, shoulder press and press-up at Borg 3 and 8 - predominantly activated the serratus anterior over the upper trapezius (Δ18-45%). The middle trapezius was activated over the upper trapezius by one-arm row and prone abduction (Δ21-30%). While shoulder press and push-up plus activated the serratus anterior over the lower trapezius (Δ22- 33%), the opposite was true for prone flexion, one-arm row and prone abduction (Δ16- 54%). Only the press-up and push-up plus activated both the lower trapezius and the serratus anterior over the upper trapezius. In conclusion, several of the investigated exercises both at low and high intensities predominantly activate the serratus anterior and lower and middle trapezius, respectively, over the upper trapezius. These findings have important practical implications for exercise prescription for optimal shoulder function. For example, both workers with neck pain and athletes at risk of shoulder impingement (e.g. overhead sports) should perform push-up plus and press-up to specifically strengthen the serratus anterior and lower trapezius.
Authors:
Christoffer H Andersen; Mette K Zebis; Charlotte Saervoll; Emil Sundstrup; Markus D Jakobsen; Gisela Sjøgaard; Lars L Andersen
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-11-09
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1533-4287     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-14     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9415084     Medline TA:  J Strength Cond Res     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
1National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Phone: (+45) 39 16 53 09, Fax: (+45) 39 16 52 01. E-mail correspondingauthor: cha@nrcwe.dk; 2Institute of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5320 Odense M.
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