Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: January 29, 2016
Theraband Applications for Improved Upper Extremity Wall-Slide Exercises
Özgün Uysal1, Abdullah Sinan Akoğlu1, Dilara Kara1
1Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Context:
The wall-slide exercise is commonly used in clinic and research settings. Theraband positioning variations for hip exercises have been investigated and used, but Theraband positioning variations for upper extremity wall-slide exercises, although not commonly used, have not been examined.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of different Theraband positions (elbow and wrist) on the activation of the scapular and shoulder muscles in wall-slide exercises and compare these variations with each other and with regular wall-slide exercises for the upper limbs.
Design:
Descriptive laboratory study.
Setting:
University laboratory.
Patients Or Other Participants:
A total of 20 participants (age = 23.8 ± 3 years, height = 176.5 ± 8.14 cm, mass = 75.3 ± 12.03 kg, body mass index = 24.23 ± 4.03) with healthy shoulders.
Intervention(S):
Participants performed wall-slide exercises (regular and 2 variations: Theraband at the elbow and Theraband at the wrist) in randomized order.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Surface electromyographic activity of the trapezius (upper trapezius [UT], middle trapezius [MT], and lower trapezius [LT]), infraspinatus, middle deltoid (MD), and serratus anterior (SA) muscles.
Results:
Regular wall-slide exercises elicited low activity in the MD and moderate activity in the SA muscles (32% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC] in the SA), whereas the Theraband-at-elbow and Theraband-at-wrist variations elicited low activity in the MT, LT, infraspinatus, and MD muscles and moderate activity in the SA muscle (46% and 34% of MVIC in the SA, respectively). The UT activation was absent to minimal (classified as 0% to 15% of MVIC) in all wall-slide exercise variations. The Theraband-at-wrist variation produced lower UT:MT, UT:LT, and UT:SA levels compared with the regular wall-slide exercise and Theraband-at-elbow variation.
Conclusions:
In shoulder rehabilitation, clinicians desiring to activate the scapular stabilization muscles should consider using the Theraband-at-wrist variation. Those seeking more shoulder-abduction activation and less scapular stabilization should consider using the Theraband-at-elbow variation of the upper extremity wall-slide exercise.
