Analysis of the three-dimensional scapular kinematics and associated scapular muscle activity during scapular muscle exercises

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare scapular kinematics and muscle activity among various scapular muscle exercises. DesignA cross-sectional study. SettingA university research laboratory. ParticipantsEighteen healthy men participated in this study. Main outcome measuresThree-dimensional scapular kinematics was measured with an electromagnetic motion capture system. Activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) were measured by using surface electromyography (EMG). In addition, the ratio of LT to the UT (LT/UT) and SA to the UT (SA/UT) was calculated. A repeated one-way analysis of variance and Shaffer's post-hoc analysis were used to detect the differences in each outcome during five exercises. ResultsThe scapula was rotated upwardly during all exercises except push-up plus. The LT/UT ratio during side-lying external rotation and side-lying flexion were significantly higher than that for scapular plane elevation (P < .05), although the highest activity of the lower trapezius was produced during scapular plane elevation. The activities of the serratus anterior and SA/UT ratio during horizontal adducted elevation and push-up plus were significantly higher than that during scapular plane elevation (P < .05). ConclusionHorizontal adducted elevation might be more appropriate for increasing scapular upward rotation with high serratus anterior activity and SA/UT ratio than push-up plus.