• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of the biceps brachii muscle in the vulnerable abduction and external rotation position of the shoulder in patients with anterior instability. Materials and Methods: This experimental study include a prospective analysis of the electromyographic(EMG) data on a group of patients with traumatic unilateral anterior instability of the shoulder. The EMG data of unstable shoulders was compared with those of opposite shoulders as control. The optimal sample size for the case-control study was calculated using an nQuery Advisor program(nQuery Adviser 3.0, Statisticl solutions Ltd., Ireland). The EMG analyses were conducted in 76 shoulders in 38 patients who had a traumatic anterior instability in one shoulder. The EMG records were obtained at different position of shoulder, which included 0° , 45° , 90° and 120° of shoulder abduction. In each angle of shoulder abduction, the arms were placed in an external rotation as tolerated by the anterior apprehension. The paired-sample T test was used to compare the difference of the root mean square(RMS) voltages between the stable and unstable shoulders in each degree of arm position. Results : The RMS voltage of the biceps muscle was significantly greater in the unstable shoulder than opposite stable shoulder in all position of the arm(p<0.001). The RMS voltage of the biceps was maximal at 90° and 120° of external rotation in the unstable shoulder(p<0.05). The RMS voltage of the supraspinatus muscle revealed no differences in any of the test conditions(p=0.904, 0.506, 0.119 and 0.781 in 0° , 45° , 90° and 120° , respectively) Conclusion: In the vulnerable abduction and external rotation position, the biceps muscle plays an active compensatory role in the unstable shoulder while not in the stable shoulder.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE: Excessive activity of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle contributes to a rounded shoulder posture (RSP) through abnormal rotation of the scapula that weakens the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles. This study compared the effects of two arm-lifting exercises with and without the use of a Thera-band on the activities of LT, SA, and UT muscles, and the LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratio in subjects with a rounded shoulder posture. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with RSP participated in this study. All subjects performed arm-lifting (AL), diagonal arm-lifting (DAL), arm lifting with isometric adduction (ALIA), and diagonal arm-lifting with isometric adduction (DALIA) exercises. The surface electromyography data, LT, SA, UT, and the LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratios were measured. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences between two arm-lifting exercises and two arm lifting with isometric adduction exercises. RESULTS: In ALIA and DALIA exercises, the UT muscle activity decreased significantly, whereas the LT/UT, SA/UT activity ratio increased significantly. The activity of SA muscle increased significantly more with DALIA than that with DAL. CONCLUSION: Arm-lifting exercises using a Thera-band can be implemented as an effective way to reduce the UT overactivity and increase the SA activity and LT/UT, SA/UT activity ratio in subjects with RSP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2022

Background: Push-up are effective exercises for shoulder stability. Previous studies have documented the effects of support plane and hand position and width on muscle activities during a push-up. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the changes in muscle activities in the upper extremity when performing the standard and the knee-flexed push-up with different hand shapes. Methods: A total of twenty-six healthy males participated in this study. Three different hand shapes (finger abduction, finger adduction, and fists) and two types of push-up posture (standard and knee-flexed push-up) were set as the independent variables. Electrograms were used to measure the muscle activity of the upper trapezius (UT), triceps brachii (TB), pectoralis major (PM), and serratus anterior (SA). Each participant performed the randomly assigned push-up to the sound of the metronome. The mixed-effect linear regression model was used to detect the changes in muscle activities after changing the hand shape and push-up posture. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: The UT muscle activity was statistically significantly higher when performing push-up with fists than finger abduction (p = 0.035) or finger adduction (p = 0.044). During the standard push-up, the muscle activity in all muscles was that the push-up with fists showed the highest muscle activity compared to the finger abduction (p < 0.01) and finger adduction (p < 0.01). Regardless of the shape of the hand, UT had the lowest muscle activity compared to other muscles (p < 0.001). In contrast, the SA muscle had the highest muscle activity among four muscles during the standard push-up. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we suggest hand shape is related to the difficulty level of push-up either in the standard or the knee-flexed push-up, especially in the push-up with fists. In addition, knee push-up can be recommended as shoulder muscle-strengthening exercises for individuals with low shoulder muscle strength.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2012

Purpose : This study is to know the effect on muscle activity when people use mouse aid or not in computer working environment. Method : 11 people of both sex in their twentieth were tested. As a independent variable, the condition without mouse aid and the condition with movable mouse aid were selected, and as a dependent variable, MVC(%) on four muscles and inconvenience degree(RPE scale) on three body part(wrist, forearm, shoulder) were measured. Result : Analyzing the research, MVC(%) of extensor muscle of finger had notably higher muscle activity than other muscles, and there wasn't notable difference in muscle activity before and after using mouse aid. In case of using mouse aid, we tested by giving RPE questionnaire which segmentalized mental fatigue degree into hand, forearm, and shoulder, and resultingly, there wasn't notable differences perspectively. However, people felt less tiredness subjectively after they use the mouse aid. Conclusion : The usage of mouse aid seems to give comfort to computer users.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2011.06a
• /
• pp.975-976
• /
• 2011

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to find the effects of scapular taping on muscle activities of the scapular rotators and upper trapezius pain in subjects with upper trapezius pain. Fifteen male subjects were recruited from Yonsei University for this study. Muscle activity of upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior was measured using surface electromyography. Visual analog scale was used for measuring upper trapezius pain. The subjects were asked to maintain $90^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion position with holding a 1 kg dumbbell in standing position. Scapular taping was applied over the muscle belly of the upper trapezius and attached parallel with the lower trapezius muscle fibers. For normalization, % maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) was conducted. Paired t-test was applied to compare the muscle activities of scapular rotator and upper trapezius pain before and after applying the scapular taping. The muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior decreased significantly after tape application (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed in lower trapezius muscle. The level of pain in the upper trapezius muscle significantly decreased after tape application (p<.05). The results of this study suggest that scapular taping can be used an additional therapy for reducing muscle activity of upper trapezius, serratus anterior and upper trapezius pain during shoulder flexion in patient with upper trapezius pain.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1975-1980
• /
• 2020

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study was to provide a new assessment of rotator cuff muscle activity. Eight male subjects (24.7 ± 3.2 years old,171.2 ± 9.8 cm tall, and weighing 63.8 ± 11.9 kg) performed the study exercises. The subjects performed 10 sets of the exercise while fixing the elbow at 90 degrees flexure and lying supine on a bed. One exercise set consisted of the subject performing external shoulder rotation 50 times using training equipment. Two imaging protocols were employed: (a) true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) at an acquisition time of 12 seconds and (b) multi-shot spin-echo echo-planar imaging (MSSE-EPI) at an acquisition time of 30 seconds for one echo. The main method of assessing rotator cuff muscle activity was functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-acquired muscle functional MRI [fast-mfMRI]). Fast-mfMRI enabled real-time imaging for the identification and evaluation of the degree of muscle activity induced by the exercise. Regions of interest were set at several places in the musculus subscapularis (sub), musculus supraspinatus (sup), musculus teres minor (ter), and deltoid muscle (del). We used the MR signal of the images and transverse relaxation time (T2) for comparison. Most of the TrueFISP signal was not changed by exercise and there was no significant difference from the resting values. Only the T2 in the musculus teres minor was increased after one set and the change were seen on the T2 images. Additionally, except for those after one and two sets, the changes in T2 were significant compared to those at rest (P < 0.01). We also demonstrated identify and visualize the extent to which muscles involved in muscle activity by exercise. In addition, we showed that muscle activity in a region such as a shoulder, which is susceptible to B0 inhomogeneity, could be easily detected using this technique.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.103-114
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to use standard and downward slope of the keyboards with taping to influence electromyography of upper trapezius. The effect of taping raise a medical criticism, but we do an experiment on two kind of keyboards with taping in order to decrease stress of shoulder. Subjects are in Seonam university whose are twelve healthy adults in their twenties. This experiment used two kind of keyboards. Standard keyboard's degree is $0^{\circ}$ and another keyboard's degree is $-7.5^{\circ}$. Application of Kinesio taping attached belly of upper trapezius tightly. Measurement of electromyography attached posterior of acromion process go by spinous process of 7th cervical vertebra and upper trapezius. Method of analysis used Repeated measure two-way ANOVA. Result of this experiment, both shoulder's muscle activity increased(p<.05) when used standard keyboard and downward keyboard with taping used. We compared muscle activity that used downward keyboard than standard keyboard. Statistically, it dosen't increase in neck and shoulder(p>.05). Therefore, using a keyboard with upper trapezius's taping in order to decrease muscle activity isn't influenced.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2018

Background: Round shoulder posture, results from excessive flexed posture of the thorax, is defined as a position of scapular protraction, anterior tipping, and downward rotation. However, previous studies have focused on only passive position of the thorax during scapular posterior tilting (SPT) and have not reported on SPT combined with correction of flexed posture. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare effects of SPT and SPT with prone trunk extension (SPT + PTE) on activities of the lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and thoracic erector spinae and degree of posture in subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture were recruited. The caliper was used to measure the degree of round shoulder and flexed posture. Electromyography was performed to collect data of muscle activities. Paired t-test was used to compare two exercise (${\alpha}=.05$). Results: When SPT + PTE was applied, the degree of round shoulder posture (p=.001) and flexed posture (p=.039) significantly decreased compared with that when SPT was applied. The lower trapezius activity significantly increased in the SPT + PTE condition compared with that in the SPT condition (p=.026). There were no significant differences in serratus anterior activity between SPT + PTE and SPT. The thoracic erector spinae activity significantly increased in the SPT + PTE condition compared with that in the SPT condition (p=.014). Conclusion: SPT + PTE might be one of the effective methods to enhance activities of lower trapezius and thoracic erector spinae, and to reduce round shoulder posture and flexed posture in subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture.