Effective stretching position of the coracobrachialis muscle

An increase in the stiffness of the coracobrachialis muscle can restrain proper movement of the glenohumeral joint and scapula during arm elevation. Therefore, muscle stiffness should be reduced through stretching. The aim of this study was to determine the effective stretching position of the coracobrachialis muscle using ultrasound shear wave elastography imaging to evaluate the stiffness of individual muscles. Eighteen healthy young men participated in this study. The shear modulus of the coracobrachialis muscle was measured at the following eight shoulder positions: i) 20° abduction (Rest), ii) maximal external rotation at 90° abduction (ER2), iii) maximal internal rotation at 90° abduction (IR2), iv) maximal flexion (Flex), v) maximal extension (Ext), vi) maximal horizontal abduction at 90° abduction (Hab), vii) maximal horizontal abduction and maximal external rotation at 90° abduction (HabER), and viii) maximal horizontal abduction and maximal internal rotation at 90° abduction (HabIR). The shear modulus in each position was compared with that of Rest using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and a multiple comparison test was performed among the positions that exhibited significant difference. The shear modulus of all stretching positions was significantly higher than that of Rest, except for Flex. Moreover, the shear moduli of IR2, Ext, Hab, HabER, and HabIR were significantly higher than that of ER2. The shear modulus of Ext was significantly higher than that of HabIR. The coracobrachialis muscle could be stretched effectively at IR2, Ext, Hab, HabER, and HabIR. Among these positions, Ext, Hab, and HabER are recommended for clinical settings.