Activation of the shoulder musculature during pendulum exercises and light activities

Prospective, single-group, repeated-measures design.

To evaluate electromyographic (EMG) signal amplitude in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and deltoid muscles during pendulum exercises and light activities in a group of healthy subjects.

There are numerous rehabilitation protocols used after rotator cuff repair. One of the most commonly used exercises in these protocols is the pendulum. Patients can easily perform these exercises incorrectly, and may also perform light activities of daily living without knowing that they may be putting excessive stress on the repair. The effect of improperly performed pendulum exercises and light activities after rotator cuff repair is unknown.

Muscle activity was recorded in 13 subjects performing pendulum exercises incorrectly and correctly in both large (51-cm) and small (20-cm) diameters, and while typing, drinking, and brushing their teeth.

Incorrect and correct large pendulums and drinking elicited more than 15% maximum voluntary isometric contraction in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The supraspinatus EMG signal amplitude was greater during large, incorrectly performed pendulums than during those performed correctly. Both correct and incorrect large pendulums resulted in statistically higher muscle activity in the supraspinatus than the small pendulums.

Larger pendulums may require more force than is desirable early in rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair.