Electromyographic Activity of Scapular Muscle Control in Free-Motion Exercise

The appropriate resistance intensity to prescribe for shoulder rehabilitative exercise is not completely known. Excessive activation of the deltoid and upper trapezius muscles could be counterproductive for scapulohumeral rhythm during humeral elevation.

To identify the effects of different exercise intensities on the scapular muscles during a free-motion "robbery" exercise performed in different degrees of shoulder abduction in seated and standing positions.

Descriptive laboratory study.

Kinesiology Adapted Physical Education Laboratory.

A total of 15 healthy male college students (age = 20.5 ± 2.2 years, height = 174.5 ± 5.3 cm, mass = 63.8 ± 6.0 kg).

Participants performed 5 repetitions of a randomized exercise sequence of the robbery exercise in 2 body positions (seated, standing), 2 shoulder-abducted positions (W [20°], 90/90 [90°]) at 3 intensities (0%, 3%, and 7% body weight).

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus muscles of the upper extremity was collected. All EMG activities were normalized by the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of each corresponding muscle (%).

The serratus anterior, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus EMG activities were greater at 7% body weight in the seated position compared with the standing position (P < .05). The EMG activities in all 5 muscles were greater in the 90/90 position than in the W position (P < .05).

Scapular muscle activity modulated relative to changes in body posture and resistance intensity. These findings will enable clinicians to prescribe the appropriate level of exercise intensity and positioning during shoulder rehabilitation.