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Outcomes of the lower trapezius muscle activities during various narrow-base push-up exercises
Background:
In clinics, training of the lower trapezius muscle for the rehabilitation of the shoulder is often applied. The narrow-base push-up exercise is considered suitable training of the proximal shoulder complex, but the effect on the lower trapezius muscle has not yet been investigated.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of push-up, push-up plus, and support surfaces on the lower trapezius muscle during the narrow-base push-up exercise.
Methods:
A total of 11 males participated in this study. Surface electromyographic response of the lower trapezius muscle was examined during the narrow-base push-up exercise.
Results:
The lower trapezius muscle activity increased significantly in both the stable and the unstable conditions during the narrow-base push-up phase compared with both conditions during the narrow-base push-up plus phase.
Conclusions:
The narrow-base push-up is considered a suitable exercise for strengthening the lower trapezius muscle regardless of support surfaces.
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