EMG activity of the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles during elevation and PUSH UP exercises

Abstract

Background: Elevation and push up (Pu) exercises are considered to be beneficial for the rehabilitation of shoulder complex pathology. Despite their clinical utility, there is a lack of evidence comparing scapulothoracic muscles recruitment during these exercises.

Objective: To evaluate the EMG activity of upper trapezius (UT), Lower Trapezius (LT), Upper Serratus anterior (USa) and Lower Serratus anterior (LSa) muscles during a variety of elevation and Pu exercises.

Methods: Thirteen healthy participants (non, athlete, male, mean ± standard deviation; age: 21.1 ± 1.8 years; height: 1.80 m ± 0.04; weight: 79 ± 12 kg) were assessed. EMG data was collected during Scaption, wall slide and elevation with external rotation (EleEr) with and without load. Pu classic, Pu plus (PuP) on stable/unstable surfaces and Pu with shoulder internal rotation were also assessed.

Results: UT had a significant higher activity during 'Scaption load' (p < .05) and LT in 'EleEr load' and 'Scaption load' (p < .05). USa and LSa had a significant higher activity on 'PuP unstable surface' and 'PuP internal rotation' compared to elevation exercises (p < .05). Scaption had greater activity ratio compared to the other exercises on UT/LT (p < .05). Pu variations had lower results in UT/USa and UT/LSa ratios compared to shoulder elevation exercises (p < .05).

Conclusions: Elevation exercises produce significant effects on upper and lower trapezius activation while Pu exercises on Sa muscles. Wall slide exercise notes the lowest activation in all muscles. A descending order of muscle activity during different variations of elevation and Pu exercises is provided in order to guide exercise selection in everyday clinical practice.

Keywords: EMG; Elevation exercises; Push up exercises; Serratus anterior; Trapezius.