Activation of Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Partitions and Periscapular Musculature During Rehabilitative Elastic Resistance Exercises

Objective The purpose of this study was to quantify the activation of partitions within supraspinatus and infraspinatus and some periscapular muscles during four resistance exercises with elastic bands. Design Twenty-seven right-handed healthy volunteers (age, 22.5 ± 2.7 yrs) were recruited. Intramuscular electromyography from supraspinatus (anterior and posterior) and infraspinatus (superior and middle) and surface electromyography data from the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior were recorded during four elastic resistance exercises (Y, T, W, L). Kinematics were recorded synchronously. Electromyography values were presented as percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction and compared across exercises using analysis of variance. Muscle activation ratios were also calculated. Results The mean activations of all rotator cuff partitions were more than 40% maximal voluntary isometric contraction, except middle infraspinatus during the T exercise (29.3% maximal voluntary isometric contraction). Serratus anterior activity was significantly higher during the Y exercise (P
Source: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Research Articles Source Type: research