Electromyographic Analysis of Traditional and Kinetic Chain Exercises for Dynamic Shoulder Movements

Oliver, GD, Plummer, HA, and Gascon, SS. Electromyographic analysis of traditional and kinetic chain exercises for dynamic shoulder movements. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3146-3154, 2016-Proper utilization of the kinetic chain allows for efficient kinetic energy transfer from the proximal segments to the distal segments. The aims of this study were to describe muscle activations in 4 kinetic chain prethrowing exercises and compare these muscle activations with 3 traditional resistance-band exercises. Twenty-six healthy college students (22.9 ± 3.4 years; 172.2 ± 8.6 cm; 74.2 ± 16.3 kg), regardless of gender, participated. Surface electromyographic data were recorded for selected pelvic and scapular musculature while subjects performed the exercises. The exercises included airplane (single-leg balance with weight-bearing hip flexed to 90° and non-weight-bearing hip extended) while performing alternating repetitions of external and internal shoulder rotation, lunge, Get Up, single-leg balance, and resistance band I, T, and Y. A repeated-measures analysis of variance, with a factor of exercise (8 different levels), was used. Post hoc analyses were used for each muscle to determine the statistically significant differences between exercises. The results reveal the greatest activation occurred during the 2 airplane exercises than all the other exercises. The results of this study help to establish surface electromyographic data for selected pelvis and scapula musculature during a series of kinetic chain and resistance-band exercises. Understanding the muscle activations during these exercises can assist clinicians and coaches in choosing the appropriate exercises to implement for individuals involved in dynamic shoulder movement.