Arm Lift Research Articles

The Art and Science beyond Body Contouring A Solution for Massive Weight Loss Patients

The massive weight loss often resulted in an excess of loose skin mainly in the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, chest, back, and laterally on the back. Consequently, most patients sought for a solution, provided by the plastic surgery through the body-contouring surgery. Abdominoplasty, arm lift, tight lift, breast lift, and liposuction are all body contouring procedures that aim to reshape the patients’ body. Furthermore, body-contouring surgery can improve the patients’ physical discomfort in daily life, also helping in the maintenance of normal BMI (body mass index) in formerly obese patients, thus having a positive aesthetic and psychosocial outcome. A key component of body contouring after massive weight loss is managing patient expectations. Understanding the risks of body contouring’s procedures is important for patient counseling and the informed consent process. The goal of this study was to perform a literature review concerning the indication, surgical technique, outcomes and complications of body-contouring surgery.

Analysis and Design Optimization of Multi Arm Lift

Analysis and Design Optimization of Multi Arm Lift

Development of an algorithm using clinical tests to avoid post-operative residual neuromuscular block

BackgroundQuantitative neuromuscular monitoring is the gold standard to detect postoperative residual curarization (PORC). Many anesthesiologists, however, use insensitive, qualitative neuromuscular monitoring or unreliable, clinical tests. Goal of this multicentre, prospective, double-blinded, assessor controlled study was to develop an algorithm of muscle function tests to identify PORC.MethodsAfter extubation a blinded anesthetist performed eight clinical tests in 165 patients. Test results were correlated to calibrated electromyography train-of-four (TOF) ratio and to a postoperatively applied uncalibrated acceleromyography. A classification and regression tree (CART) was calculated developing the algorithm to identify PORC. This was validated against uncalibrated acceleromyography and tactile judgement of TOF fading in separate 100 patients.ResultsAfter eliminating three tests with poor correlation, a model with four tests (r = 0.844) and uncalibrated acceleromyography (r = 0.873) were correlated to electromyographical TOF-values without losing quality of prediction. CART analysis showed that three consecutively performed tests (arm lift, head lift and swallowing or eye opening) can predict electromyographical TOF. Prediction coefficients reveal an advantage of the uncalibrated acceleromyography in terms of specificity to identify the EMG measured train-of-four ratio < 0.7 (100% vs. 42.9%) and <0.9 (89.7% vs. 34.5%) compared to the algorithm. However, due to the high sensitivity of the algorithm (100% vs. 94.4%), the risk to overlook an awake patient with a train-of-four ratio < 0.7 was minimal. Tactile judgement of TOF fading showed poorest sensitivity and specifity at train of four ratio < 0.9 (33.7%, 0%) and <0.7 (18.8%, 16.7%).ConclusionsResidual neuromuscular blockade can be detected by uncalibrated acceleromyography and if not available by a pathway of four clinical muscle function tests in awake patients. The algorithm has a discriminative power comparable to uncalibrated AMG within TOF-values >0.7 and <0.3.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov (principal investigator’s name: CU, and identifier: NCT03219138) on July 8, 2017.

Simple modification of arm position improves B1+ and signal homogeneity in the thoracolumbar spine at 3T.

To evaluate the homogeneity of the radiofrequency magnetic field (B1+ ) and signal intensity using different arm positions during 3T thoracolumbar spinal imaging. Twenty volunteers were scanned with a four-channel radiofrequency (RF) transmit coil at 3T, with arms on the bed (conventional), arms elevated by 100 mm (arm lift), or with the arms-up position (elevated arm). Axial B1+ maps and sagittal T1 -weighted image (T1 WI)-performed RF shimming were obtained for each arm position. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the flip angle (FA) at the center of the vertebra on each B1+ map, and contrast noise ratios (CNRs) between the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid of sagittal T1 WI, were calculated and compared among the different arm positions. Mean FA values (degrees) for the arm lift and elevated arm positions were significantly larger than for the conventional position (P < 0.001 for both) at the twelfth thoracic vertebra (Th12). FA SD values for the arm lift and elevated arm position were significantly smaller than for the conventional position (P < 0.001 for both) at Th12. CNR for the arm lift and elevated arm position were significantly higher than for the conventional position (P = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively). The mean and SD of the FA and the CNR did not differ significantly for the arm lift and elevated arm positions (P = 0.591, 0.958, and 0.927, respectively). Inhomogeneities of B1+ and signal intensities were improved by simply changing the arm position in 3T thoracolumbar spinal imaging. 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:123-130.

Proof of concept non-invasive estimation of peripheral venous oxygen saturation

BackgroundPulse oximeters continuously monitor arterial oxygen saturation. Continuous monitoring of venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) would enable real-time assessment of tissue oxygen extraction (O2E) and perfusion changes leading to improved diagnosis of clinical conditions, such as sepsis.MethodsThis study presents the proof of concept of a novel pulse oximeter method that utilises the compliance difference between arteries and veins to induce artificial respiration-like modulations to the peripheral vasculature. These modulations make the venous blood pulsatile, which are then detected by a pulse oximeter sensor. The resulting photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals from the pulse oximeter are processed and analysed to develop a calibration model to estimate regional venous oxygen saturation (SpvO2), in parallel to arterial oxygen saturation estimation (SpaO2). A clinical study with healthy adult volunteers (n = 8) was conducted to assess peripheral SvO2 using this pulse oximeter method. A range of physiologically realistic SvO2 values were induced using arm lift and vascular occlusion tests. Gold standard, arterial and venous blood gas measurements were used as reference measurements. Modulation ratios related to arterial and venous systems were determined using a frequency domain analysis of the PPG signals.ResultsA strong, linear correlation (r2 = 0.95) was found between estimated venous modulation ratio (RVen) and measured SvO2, providing a calibration curve relating measured RVen to venous oxygen saturation. There is a significant difference in gradient between the SpvO2 estimation model (SpvO2 = 111 − 40.6*R) and the empirical SpaO2 estimation model (SpaO2 = 110 − 25*R), which yields the expected arterial-venous differences. Median venous and arterial oxygen saturation accuracies of paired measurements between pulse oximeter estimated and gold standard measurements were 0.29 and 0.65%, respectively, showing good accuracy of the pulse oximeter system.ConclusionsThe main outcome of this study is the proof of concept validation of a novel pulse oximeter sensor and calibration model to assess peripheral SvO2, and thus O2E, using the method used in this study. Further validation, improvement, and application of this model can aid in clinical diagnosis of microcirculation failures due to alterations in oxygen extraction.

Investigation of the Effect of Weighting between sEMG and Interaction Force in Intention Extraction for the Control of an Upper-Limb Assistive Device

We investigated the effect of the weighting between surface electromyography (sEMG) and interaction force for user intention extraction for the control of an upper-limb assistive device. A point-to-point vertical arm lifting task was performed by two age-segregated cohorts including 10 young subjects and 10 elderly subjects. The performance in terms of muscular effort and repeatability was analyzed. The elderly and young group showed age-dependent differences in terms of muscular effort with distinct sEMG weights.

Compensating the effects of FES-induced muscle fatigue by rehabilitation robotics during arm weight support

Abstract: Motor functions can be hindered in consequence to a stroke or a spinal cord injury. This often results in partial paralyses of the upper limb. The effectiveness of rehabilitation therapy can be improved by the use of rehabilitation robotics and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). We consider a hybrid arm weight support combining both. In order to compensate the effect of FES-induced muscle fatigue, we introduce a method to substitute the decreasing level of FES support by cable-driven robotics. We evaluated the approach in a trial with one healthy subject performing repetitive arm lifting. The controller automatically adapted the support and thus no increase in user generated volitional effort was observed when FES induced muscle fatigue occured.

Reliability and Precision of Sonography of the Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis During Dynamic Activities.

To determine the intrarater reliability and precision of lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis thickness measurements using freehand sonography in a range of static and dynamic conditions. Fifteen asymptomatic participants performed a range of exercises while sonography was used to measure absolute muscle thickness and changes in muscle thickness from rest. Exercise conditions included the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, active straight leg raise, contralateral arm lift, both unloaded and loaded, treadmill walking, and using the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device. Intraday and interday reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients, and the standard error of measurement was used to assess measurement precision. Good to excellent reliability was achieved for absolute transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus thickness in all conditions. Measurement precision for absolute lumbar multifidus thickness was ≤2.8 mm for the unloaded contralateral arm lift, ≤1.8 mm for the loaded contralateral arm lift, ≤3.1 mm for treadmill walking, and ≤3.8 mm for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device; for absolute transversus abdominis thickness, precision was ≤0.6 mm for the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, ≤0.5 mm for the active straight leg raise, ≤0.7 mm for treadmill walking, and ≤0.5 mm for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device. Good to excellent reliability was achieved for relative transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus thickness in all conditions. Measurement precision for relative lumbar multifidus thickness was ≤3.7% for the unloaded contralateral arm lift, ≤3.8% for the loaded contralateral arm lift, ≤6.3% for treadmill walking, and ≤7.6% for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device; for relative transversus abdominis thickness, precision was ≤13.6% for the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, ≤6.9% for the active straight leg raise, ≤11.1% for treadmill walking, and ≤7.2% for the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device. Acceptable reliability and precision of measurement is achieved for absolute and relative measures of deep spinal muscle thickness using freehand sonography in relatively static and dynamic exercises.

Necrotizing Fasciitis in Aesthetic Surgery: A Review of the Literature

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, potentially fatal, infective complication that can occur after surgery. Diagnosis is still difficult and mainly based on clinical data. Only a prompt pharmacological and surgical therapy can avoid dramatic consequences. There are few reports regarding NF as a complication after aesthetic surgical procedures, and a systematic review still lacks. We have performed a systematic review of English literature on PubMed, covering a period of 30years. Keywords used were "necrotising fasciitis" matched with "aesthetic surgery complications", "breast surgery", "mammoplasty", "blepharoplasty", "liposuction", "facelift", "rhinoplasty fasciitis", "arm lift", "thigh lift", "otoplasty" and "abdominoplasty fasciitis". No additional search and temporal limitation were set. Among 3782 papers concerning NF, only 18 were related to NF after an aesthetic surgical procedure. Liposuction was the most affected procedure, with buttocks and lower extremity the most involved anatomical regions. The majority of the infections were monomicrobial, promoted by Streptococcus pyogenes. In most cases, NF occurred within the third post-operative day with non-specific signs and symptoms. In 14 cases, a single or multiple surgical interventions were performed and survival was achieved in 11 patients. In case of infection after aesthetic surgery, we should always bear in mind NF. Clinical hallmarks still guide NF management. Because early signs and symptoms are usually non-specific, a strict clinical control is highly suggested. Once clinical suspicion is raised, prompt antibacterial therapy should be administered, followed by surgical debridement in case of ineffective response. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review.

Background:Paralleling the growth of bariatric surgery, the demand for post-bariatric body-contouring surgery is increasing. Weight loss is the main cause, although not the only one, that drives patients to arm lift surgery. Several surgical techniques have been proposed over the years. Our aim was to consider the complications and outcomes according to the performed technique, through a wide review of the literature.Methods:A search on PubMed/Medline was performed using “brachioplasty”, “upper arm lifting”, and “techniques” as key words. Embase, Medline (OvidSP), Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed publisher, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched as well. As inclusion criteria, we selected the clinical studies describing techniques of brachioplasty. We excluded the papers in which complications related to brachioplasty were not specified. We also excluded literature-review articles.Results:We found 27 studies from 1995 to 2015. Overall, 1065 patients were treated. Different techniques were applied. Complications were observed in 308/1065 patients (28.9%). The most frequent complications were hypertrophic scarring, seroma and hematoma. Surgical revision rate ranged from 0 to 21 percent. Nerve damage occurred in a modest percentage of patients (16/1065, 1.5%). No major complications, such as thromboembolism and sepsis, were observed.Conclusions:Brachioplasty is a safe surgical procedure. All the brachioplasty techniques showed positive outcomes, in term of patients’ satisfaction and clinical results. Nevertheless, minor complications occurred in a high percentage of patients, regardless the performed surgical procedure. Patients should be informed about the possible formation of hypertrophic scars and nerve injuries. (www.actabiomedica.it)

The Effects of the Position of Ipsilateral Neck Rotation on the Inhibition of the Upper Trapezius Muscle During Lower Trapezius Exercises

Background: The unilateral prone arm lift (UPAL) is commonly used to exercise the lower trapezius muscle. However, overactivation of the upper trapezius can induce pain during UPAL exercises in subjects with upper trapezius tenderness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of position of ipsilateral neck rotation (INR) on the inhibition of upper trapezius muscle activity and the facilitation of the lower trapezius muscle when performing UPAL exercises. Methods: In total, 19 subjects with upper trapezius tenderness were recruited for the study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles during UPAL with and without INR position. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EMG activity in the trapezius muscles and the muscle ratios. Results: EMG activity in the upper trapezius muscles was decreased significantly in the INR condition compared to without the position with INR during UPAL exercises (p .05). However, the ratio of lower to upper trapezius activation showed a significant increase in the INR condition compared to the without INR condition (p<.05), indicating greater lower trapezius activation relative to the upper trapezius in the INR position than in the without INR position. Conclusions: The EMG results obtained in this study suggest that the position with INR reduced overactivation in the upper trapezius and improved muscle imbalance during lower trapezius exercises in individuals with upper trapezius tenderness.

Desire for Body Contouring Surgery After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective approach for the treatment of morbid obesity. Surgically induced massive weight loss provokes skin deformities that can be addressed with plastic surgery. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the esthetic outcome of patients after LSG. The aim of the study was to assess the postoperative appearance and the request for body contouring surgery after LSG. All the patients who underwent LSG between August 2006 and September 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were interviewed using the Post-Bariatric Surgery Appearance Questionnaire. Postoperative satisfaction with their appearance, and the desire and frequency for body contouring surgery were assessed. A total of 175 patients were interviewed. Overall, 75% of the patients rated that they felt attractive with their appearance. More specifically, 84% of men and 72% of women were satisfied with their appearance. Females were most dissatisfied with waist/abdomen, chest/breasts, and upper arms, in descending order. Males were dissatisfied with chest/breasts, upper arms, and waist/abdomen, respectively. The most desired procedures were abdominoplasty, chest/breast lift, and upper arm lift in females and abdominoplasty, thigh lift and upper arm lift in males. Only 3.6% of patients underwent body contouring surgery postoperatively. LSG patients rated their overall appearance from slightly to moderately attractive. There was a strong desire for abdominoplasty; breast lift and upper arm lift in females, although only a small proportion of patients proceeded to plastic surgery. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Using voluntary motor commands to inhibit involuntary arm movements.

A hallmark of voluntary motor control is the ability to stop an ongoing movement. Is voluntary motor inhibition a general neural mechanism that can be focused on any movement, including involuntary movements, or is it mere termination of a positive voluntary motor command? The involuntary arm lift, or 'floating arm trick', is a distinctive long-lasting reflex of the deltoid muscle. We investigated how a voluntary motor network inhibits this form of involuntary motor control. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex during the floating arm trick produced a silent period in the reflexively contracting deltoid muscle, followed by a rebound of muscle activity. This pattern suggests a persistent generator of involuntary motor commands. Instructions to bring the arm down voluntarily reduced activity of deltoid muscle. When this voluntary effort was withdrawn, the involuntary arm lift resumed. Further, voluntary motor inhibition produced a strange illusion of physical resistance to bringing the arm down, as if ongoing involuntarily generated commands were located in a 'sensory blind-spot', inaccessible to conscious perception. Our results suggest that voluntary motor inhibition may be a specific neural function, distinct from absence of positive voluntary motor commands.

Quality of life among adults following body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery: a systematic review protocol

Review question/objective How does body contouring surgery following bariatric surgery influence quality of life among adults? Inclusion criteria Types of participants All adult patients>18 years who have had bariatric surgery and are eligible for body contouring surgery. Typical bariatric procedures include temporary gastric balloon, adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, bilopancreatic diversion, bilopancreatic diversion dudodenial switch modifications, and roux-en-y gastric bypass. Jejunoileal bypass procedure is excluded as it is no longer recommended in Europe and the US due to the unacceptably high morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest Any body contouring surgical procedure including, but not limited to, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Fleur de lys abdominoplasty (tummy tuck and liposuction of back and buttocks), apronectomy (mini tummy tuck), mastopexy (breast lift), thigh lift or mini thigh lift, and brachioplasty (arm lift). Eligibility for body contouring surgery includes: a current BMI of less than or equal to 28.0kg/m2, weight stability over 12 months and significant functional disturbances (both physical and psychological) following massive weight loss (from either post bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes). Comparisons will be as follows: 1. Body contouring surgery versus no body contouring. 2. Body contouring surgery: multiple area procedures versus single area procedures. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: Primary outcome: quality of life as measured by validated tools at 5 years following body contouring surgery. Validated tools may include: pictoral body image assessment (PBIA), body image and satisfaction assessment, current body image assessment, health related quality of life, the post bariatric surgery quality of life survey, Beck's inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, SF 36, quality of life instrument, body uneasiness test and the Obesity Psychosocial State Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes: adverse events (as reported in the included papers), unsatisfactory aesthetic appearance or weight gain.

Multiclass classification of hemodynamic responses for performance improvement of functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based brain-computer interface.

We improved the performance of a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based brain-computer interface based on relatively short task duration and multiclass classification. A custom-built eight-channel fNIRS system was used over the motor cortex areas in both hemispheres to measure the hemodynamic responses evoked by four different motor tasks (overt execution of arm lifting and knee extension for both sides) instead of finger tapping. The hemodynamic responses were classified using the naive Bayes classifier. Among the mean, max, slope, variance, and median of the signal amplitude and the time lag of the signal, several signal features are chosen to obtain highest classification accuracy. Ten runs of threefold cross-validation were conducted, which yielded classification accuracies of 87.1%±2.4% to 95.5%±2.4%, 77.5%±1.9% to 92.4%±3.2%, and 73.8%±3.5% to 91.5%±1.4% for the binary, ternary, and quaternary classifications, respectively. Eight seconds of task duration for obtaining sufficient quaternary classification accuracy was suggested. The bit transfer rate per minute (BPM) based on the quaternary classification accuracy was investigated. A BPM can be achieved from 2.81 to 5.40 bits/min.

Multifidus muscle size and percentage thickness changes among patients with unilateral chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy controls in prone and standing

The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist in lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness at rest and during activation, between individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and controls. Lumbar multifidus thickness was assessed via rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), and was performed in prone and standing both at rest and during muscle activation i.e. with a contralateral arm lift (CAL). Twenty participants were assessed; ten CLBP participants and ten controls. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging was used to measure LM thickness and percentage thickness change at L4/L5 and L5/S1 in four positions; prone at rest, prone during activation with a CAL, standing at rest, and standing during activation with a CAL. Independent and paired t-tests were used to calculate differences in LM thickness and percentage thickness change between groups, and also between sides in the CLBP group. There was a significant difference in LM percentage thickness change in standing during activation with a CAL; the CLBP demonstrated a greater percentage thickness increase at L5/S1 compared to the controls, (p = 0.05). There were no differences between groups at the L4/L5 level for this position. There were no differences between the groups for LM thickness or percentage thickness change in prone or standing at rest, or during activation with a CAL in prone. Within the CLBP group, no significant between side differences were found. These results give preliminary insight into possible differences in LM contractile behaviour during functional movements in CLBP, however, larger scale research is warranted.

Selective Activation of Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles during Various Exercises in the Prone Position as Measured by EMG.

[Purpose] This study compared the effects of three exercises performed in a prone position on the selective activation of the lumbar erector spinae (LES) and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles in healthy males to investigate the effective method for selective activation of the LM. [Subjects] Twenty-two healthy males were recruited. Surface EMG data were collected from the right LES and LM muscles during three exercises: 1) trunk extension, 2) hip extension, and 3) the arm lift. [Results] The ratio of LM to LES EMG activity during hip extension was higher than those during trunk extension and the arm lift. [Conclusion] Hip extension in a prone position may be effective for selective activation of the lumbar multifidus muscles in healthy males.

The Mediolateral CoP Parameters can Differentiate the Fallers among the Community-dwelling Elderly Population

[Purpose] Age-related mediolateral (ML) instability of static postural control in the elderly has been well studied. Recent studies have provided evidence that ML center of pressure (CoP) parameters during dynamic postural control are more sensitive for differentiation of the fallers in the elderly. However, very limited studies have been done in which ML stability differences between fallers and non-fallers were investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in ML CoP parameters between elderly fallers and elderly non-fallers during dynamic postural control. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-nine community-dwelling older adults were divided into either fallers or non-fallers according to a self-report related to falling history within a year. Every participant performed 4 different tasks (static postural control tasks comprising quiet stance with eyes open and eyes closed and dynamic postural control tasks comprising stance with arm lifting and with trunk flexion) on force plates. [Results] The fallers demonstrated decreased AP and ML CoP parameters, and ML CoP distance was significantly smaller than in the non-fallers during both dynamic postural control tasks. [Conclusions] ML CoP parameters were able to differentiate the fallers from the non-fallers in a community-dwelling elderly population.

아래등세모근 근력강화 운동방법들 사이의 어깨뼈 위쪽 돌림근과 다른 어깨 근육들의 근활성도 비교

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity levels of the scapular upward rotators [upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA)] and other scapular muscles [posterior deltoid (PD), levator scapulae (LS), and infraspinatus (IS)] during isometric lower trapezius exercises. Twenty males with no medical history of shoulder pain or upper extremity disorders were recruited for this study. EMG activity was recorded from the UT, LT, SA, PD, LS, and IS while subjects performed three different exercises: Prone arm lift (PAL), Backward rocking diagonal arm lift (BRDAL), Modified Prone Cobra (MPC). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine any significant differences among the three exercises. A lower relative activation of UT, LT, and SA was seen with the MPC than with the other exercises (p<.05). The relatively lower activation of the UT identified, the MPC exercise as the preferred choice for preferential strengthening the LT (p<.05). However, a higher activation in the PD, LS, and IS occurred with the MPC than with the other exercises (p>.05). The recruitment pattern of synergist varied depending on the exercise posture. These findings suggest that exercise posture is an important factor in the selection of strengthening exercise for weak muscle.

Thickness of the lower trapezius and serratus anterior using ultrasound imaging during a repeated arm lifting task

The purposes of this study were to establish the reliability for measuring scapular muscle thickness, and to examine how scapular muscle thickness changes with respect to external loads. Participants were asymptomatic subjects recruited from a sample of convenience. Thickness Measures were taken using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) under 11 conditions, rest and 10 progressive loads, for the Lower Trapezius (LT) and Serratus Anterior (SA). The procedures were repeated 1 week later to determine reliability. Bland and Altman limits of agreement and Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine reliability. Separate repeated measure ANOVAs were performed to determine differences in muscle thickness for both muscles across 3 conditions; rest and the 2 loaded conditions that represented the lowest and highest torque values. Results demonstrate good within and between day reliability for the LT (ICC = .86 to .99) and SA (ICC = .88 to .99). For the LT and SA, there were significant differences between the resting thickness and 2 lifting conditions (p ≤ .01) but not between the two lifting conditions. It was concluded that RUSI is reliable in measuring scapular muscle thickness. RUSI is sensitive enough to detect absolute changes in thickness from resting to a contracted state but unable to detect differences between loads imposed on the shoulder.