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Related Concept Videos

Muscles that Move the Arm01:31

Muscles that Move the Arm

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Nine muscles are involved in arm movements. Two of these, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, originate from the axial skeleton and are called axial muscles. The other seven originate from the scapula and are called the scapular muscles.
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
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The muscles surrounding the shoulder girdle, including the clavicle and scapula, primarily stabilize the scapula. This stable base allows other muscles to move the humerus effectively. Scapular movements often mirror those of the humerus and extend its range of motion. For instance, raising the arm above the head would not be feasible without simultaneous upward rotation of the scapula.
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Muscle Coordination and Action01:24

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Muscle coordination is a complex and finely tuned process essential for smooth and purposeful movements like flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and rotation. The human body orchestrates the actions of various muscles working in concert, each with a specific role. Four functional types describe how muscles work together: agonist, antagonist, synergist, and fixator.
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement....
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Muscles that Move the Forearm01:16

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The muscles that move the forearms can be divided into four groups: forearm flexors, forearm extensors, forearm pronators, and forearm supinators. The flexors and extensors act on the elbow joint, while the pronators and supinators act on the radioulnar joints.
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The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
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The muscles that move the head are a dynamic and complex group of structures that work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
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Anatomical Movements00:51

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Anatomical movements refer to the various actions or motions that can be performed by the body's joints and muscles. These movements are described using specific terms to provide a standardized way of discussing and understanding the range of motion at different joints.
Here are some common anatomical movements:
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2025

Measurement of Dynamic Scapular Kinematics Using an Acromion Marker Cluster to Minimize Skin Movement Artifact
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Scapular Muscle Activation at Different Shoulder Abduction Angles During Pilates Reformer Arm Work Exercise.

Woo-Lim Mun1, Eui-Young Jung2, Shi Lei2

  • 1Department of Exercise Rehabilitation, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|April 26, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Pilates reformer arm work (AW) engages scapular muscles differently based on shoulder abduction angles. Specific angles, like 135°, maximize lower trapezius activation for improved scapular control.

Keywords:
Pilates reformer arm workelectromyographyscapular muscleshoulder abduction

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics of shoulder joint motion.
  • Exercise physiology and muscle activation.
  • Kinesiology of scapular stabilization.

Background:

  • Scapular muscles are vital for shoulder stability and injury prevention during arm movements.
  • Shoulder abduction angle significantly influences scapular muscle engagement.
  • Pilates reformer arm work (AW) offers varied shoulder abduction angles for exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of different shoulder abduction angles on scapular muscle activation during AW.
  • To identify optimal angles for selective muscle engagement in Pilates exercises.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-six healthy males performed AW at 0°, 90°, 135°, and 160° shoulder abduction angles.
  • Surface electromyography measured activation of upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), posterior deltoid (PD), and levator scapulae (LS).
  • Muscle activation ratios (UT/LT, LS/LT, UT/SA, LS/SA) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) activation increased with shoulder abduction angle.
  • Peak activation for LT occurred at 135°, while MT and PD peaked at 90°.
  • Specific muscle activation ratios varied significantly across different abduction angles, with lowest ratios observed at 90°, 135°, and 160°.

Conclusions:

  • Shoulder abduction angle critically influences scapular muscle recruitment during AW.
  • Targeted shoulder abduction angles can selectively activate specific scapular muscles.
  • Findings provide evidence for optimizing Pilates AW exercises to enhance scapular control and stability.