Scapular Retraction under Adduction Load: An Alternative to Overhead Exercises to Activate Infraspinatus, Upper, and Lower Trapezius in Subjects with and without Shoulder Pain

Jefferson James dos Santos, Rebeca Orozco Nagy, Matheus Almeida Souza, Leonardo Intelangelo, Michelle Almeida Barbosa, Gabriela Silveira-Nunes and Alexandre Carvalho Barbosa
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Jefferson James dos Santos: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Rebeca Orozco Nagy: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Matheus Almeida Souza: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Leonardo Intelangelo: Musculoskeletal Research Unit—UIM, Department of Physical Therapy, University Center for Assistance, Teaching and Research—CUADI, Universidad del Gran Rosario—UGR, Rosario C1021AAH, Argentina
Michelle Almeida Barbosa: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Gabriela Silveira-Nunes: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Alexandre Carvalho Barbosa: Musculoskeletal Research Group—NIME, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Exercises for lower trapezius (LT) often use overhead positions, causing compressive forces to the subacromial space. Scapular retraction would be an alternative to activate LT muscle. The present study aimed to assess the excitation levels of infraspinatus, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles during a scapular retraction exercise under progressive adduction loads in subjects with and without painful shoulder. Electromyography of infraspinatus (IS), upper trapezius (UT), and LT was recorded during scapular retraction under progressive adduction loads of 42 participants, divided into two groups: with (SP, n = 26) and without shoulder pain (nSP, n = 16). The adduction loads of 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were applied using a load cell. Normalized electromyography and the ratio between UT and LT (UT:LT) were used for statistical analysis. No differences were observed between groups, but a condition effect occurred for all muscles: UT showed higher values at 50% vs. 20% of MVC ( p = 0.004); LT showed higher values on 40% and 50% of MVC ( p = 0.001; 0.006). Higher values for IS were noted at 40% of MVC (vs. 20% of MVC; p = 0.04) and at 50% of MVC (vs. 20% of MVC; p = 0.001, vs. 30% of MVC, p = 0.001; vs. 40% of MVC; p = 0.001). UT:LT showed lower values at 50% of MVC (vs. 20% of MVC; p = 0.001 and vs. 30% of MVC; p = 0.016). Scapular retraction with adduction loads at 40–50% is an alternative to overhead exercises aiming to activate the LT and the IS muscles. The exercise ensures higher levels of LT and IS excitation without increasing UT excitation.

Keywords: shoulder impingement syndrome; scapula; exercise therapy; exercise movement techniques; musculoskeletal pain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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