Motion analysis of the shoulder in adults: kinematics and electromyography for the clinical practice

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2016 Aug;52(4):575-82. Epub 2016 Jul 19.

Abstract

In this paper, the principal aspects of kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) analysis of the shoulder and their potential for the every-day clinical practice are described. The text reports a brief description of standard recommendations for movement assessment, an overview of the main quantitative motion analysis protocols and a description of the most commonly investigated scapulothoracic muscles. To assess the possibility of using these protocols for clinical applications, reliability and repeatability of kinematic and EMG measures were investigated and reference data for scapulohumeral joint kinematics were provided. The last part of the manuscript reports the integration of the quantitative analysis of scapula dyskinesis within the widely accepted Constant-Murley clinical score. In addition, examples of assessment of muscles activity and recruitment patterns are discussed since they are crucial for the clinical evaluation of common shoulder pathologies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motion*
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology*
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology
  • Shoulder Pain / diagnosis*
  • Shoulder Pain / rehabilitation