Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
Published on: August 25, 2022
An unstable support surface does not increase scapulothoracic stabilizing muscle activity during push up and push up
Gregory J Lehman1, Danielle Gilas, Ushma Patel
1Department of Graduate Studies, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ont., Canada. glehman@cmcc.ca
Performing push-ups on a Swiss ball did not increase muscle activity in shoulder stabilizers compared to a bench. Elevating the feet during push-ups had a greater effect on shoulder muscles than using an unstable surface.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Investigating the influence of exercise surface stability on muscle activation.
- Understanding scapulothoracic muscle engagement during push-up variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare electromyogram (EMG) amplitude of scapulothoracic muscles during push-ups on unstable (Swiss ball) versus stable (bench) surfaces.
- To evaluate the effect of exercise surface on muscle activation during different push-up variations.
Main Methods:
- Surface electromyograms (EMG) were recorded from upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and biceps brachii.
- Ten male college students performed push-ups with hands/feet on a bench and Swiss ball, including a push-up plus variation.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in mean EMG amplitude was observed between Swiss ball and bench surfaces (p<0.05).
- Significant differences in upper trapezius and serratus anterior activity were noted based on foot position relative to hand position, independent of surface stability.
Conclusions:
- An unstable Swiss ball surface is insufficient to increase muscle activity in select scapulothoracic and glenohumeral muscles during push-up variations.
- Elevating the feet during push-ups demonstrated a more significant influence on shoulder stabilizing musculature activation than using a Swiss ball.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Shoulder
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while the...
Muscles that Move the Arm
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
Muscle Coordination and Action
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Muscle Stimulation Frequency
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...

