What muscles need to be trained for high-quality chest compression?

This study is aimed to identify the muscles that need to be trained for high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation by evaluating the muscles that are fatigued during chest compression in both kneeling and standing positions.

In this randomized crossover trial, 37 participants performed continuous chest compressions on a manikin for 5min, alternating between kneeling and standing positions. The median frequency values of 16 muscles were determined from surface electromyography recordings.

The median frequency values of the arm muscles (flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis, biceps brachii, triceps brachii) in both positions were significantly lower during the last 30s than during the first 30s, demonstrating muscle fatigue over time. The cervical erector spinae in the kneeling position and the external oblique abdominis in the standing position were also fatigued over time. In the deltoideus, quadriceps femoris, and biceps femoris muscles, the difference in median frequency between the last 30s and the first 30s was significantly different between the two positions, and muscles were more fatigued in the standing position than in the kneeling position.

Understanding patterns of muscle fatigue and training of these muscles would assist healthcare providers in performing high-quality chest compressions. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02088879.