Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
10:09
Biomechanical Testing of Murine Tendons
Published on: October 15, 2019
The 'empty can' and 'full can' tests do not selectively activate supraspinatus
Craig E Boettcher1, Karen A Ginn, Ian Cathers
1Discipline of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Australia. cboe9001@mail.usyd.edu.au
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
|December 5, 2008
Summary
The
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- The 'empty can' (EC) and 'full can' (FC) tests are commonly used to diagnose supraspinatus dysfunction.
- Previous electromyographic (EMG) studies suggested these tests selectively activate the supraspinatus muscle.
- Concerns exist regarding the diagnostic accuracy and selective activation of supraspinatus during EC and FC tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the ability of the EC and FC tests to selectively activate the supraspinatus muscle.
- To investigate shoulder muscle activation patterns during the EC and FC tests using EMG.
- To determine the validity of EC and FC tests as diagnostic tools for supraspinatus pathology.
Main Methods:
- Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from 13 shoulder muscles in 15 healthy subjects.
- Subjects performed the 'empty can' (EC) and 'full can' (FC) shoulder tests.
- EMG data were analyzed to compare supraspinatus activation with other shoulder muscles during the tests.
Main Results:
- The EC test showed high activation in nine non-supraspinatus shoulder muscles.
- The FC test demonstrated high activation in eight non-supraspinatus shoulder muscles.
- Supraspinatus activation was not significantly greater than that of several other shoulder muscles during both tests.
Conclusions:
- The EC and FC tests do not selectively activate the supraspinatus muscle.
- These tests do not meet the criteria for valid diagnostic tools for supraspinatus pathology.
- EC and FC tests may still be useful for shoulder muscle strengthening programs.
More Related Videos
07:33Measuring Contralateral Silent Period Induced by Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Investigate M1 Corticospinal Inhibition
Published on: August 23, 2022
05:25Knotless Independent Double-Row Repair and Biceps Augmentation for Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears
Published on: January 23, 2026
Related Concept Videos
01:31Muscles that Move the Arm
Nine muscles are involved in arm movements. Two of these, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, originate from the axial skeleton and are called axial muscles. The other seven originate from the scapula and are called the scapular muscles.
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...
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...
02:19The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
00:50Anaphase Promoting Complex
The stepwise destruction of specific proteins is necessary for the progression and completion of the cell cycle. Such proteins are ubiquitinated by ubiquitin ligases and then subsequently destroyed by the proteasome. The SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box) and the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) are two important ubiquitin ligases involved in cell cycle progression. While SCF is active throughout the cell cycle, APC gets activated during metaphase to anaphase transition. Cdc20 or Cdh1 binds to APC and...
01:13Cytoskeletal Accessory Proteins
The cytoskeleton is an essential cell component that plays several structural and functional roles. However, the filaments that make up the cytoskeleton cannot function independently and depend on the accessory or ancillary proteins to effectively carry out their function. Accessory proteins associate with cytoskeletal filaments and their monomers, aiding filament formation and function. They also help in the cross-communication among cytoskeletal filaments. Cytoskeletal accessory proteins are...
01:24Muscle Coordination and Action
Muscle coordination is a complex and finely tuned process essential for smooth and purposeful movements like flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and rotation. The human body orchestrates the actions of various muscles working in concert, each with a specific role. Four functional types describe how muscles work together: agonist, antagonist, synergist, and fixator.
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.