Effect of isometric horizontal abduction on pectoralis major and serratus anterior EMG activity during three exercises in subjects with scapular winging

• Published in: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 462 - 468
• Main Authors: Park, Kyung-Mi, Cynn, Heon-Seock, Yi, Chung-Hwi, Kwon, Oh-Yun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Electromyography - methods; Exercise - physiology; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Pectoralis major; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Scapula - physiology; Scapular winging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serratus anterior; Shoulder Joint - physiology; Pectoralis major; Serratus anterior; Scapular winging
• ISSN: 1050-6411; 1873-5711; 1873-5711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.11.013

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of isometric horizontal abduction using Thera-Band during three exercises (forward flexion, scaption, and wall push-up plus) in subjects with scapular winging by investigating the electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the pectoralis major, serratus anterior and the pectoralis major/serratus anterior activity ratio. Twenty-four males with scapular winging participated in this study. The subjects performed the forward flexion, scaption, and wall push-up plus with and without isometric horizontal abduction using Thera-Band. Surface EMG was used to collect the EMG data of the pectoralis major and serratus anterior during the three exercises. Two-way repeated analyses of variance with two within-subject factors (isometric horizontal abduction condition and exercise type) were used to determine the statistical significance of pectoralis major and serratus anterior EMG activity and the pectoralis major/serratus anterior EMG activity ratio. Pectoralis major EMG activity was significantly lower during forward flexion and wall push-up plus with isometric horizontal abduction, and serratus anterior EMG activity was significantly greater with isometric horizontal abduction. Additionally, the pectoralis major/serratus anterior activity ratio was significantly lower during the forward flexion and wall push-up plus with isometric horizontal abduction. The results of this study suggest that isometric horizontal abduction using Thera-Band can be used as an effective method to facilitate the serratus anterior activity and to reduce excessive pectoralis major activity during exercises for activating serratus anterior.