Electromyographic analysis of the upper extremity in water polo players during water polo shots

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand electromyographic parameters of selected shoulder and arm muscles in water polo shots. The study was carried out with a group of 12 water polo players. Signals were recorded by surface electromyography (EMG) from the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD) and middle deltoid (MD), biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), and wrist flexor (WF) muscles. The average and standard deviation of the normalized electrical activity and duration of the muscles were determined during four different water polo shots in water polo players. Post hoc analysis among muscles revealed that PM and AD showed significantly different amplitude values among water polo shots. Because the PM and AD must relax to perform the horizontal abduction necessary in the backhand shot, the amplitude was significantly lower than during overhead, push, or penalty shots. Similarly, the push shot requires elbow extension of a horizontally adducted and internally rotated shoulder; therefore, the AD has greater amplitude during this shot and TB was activated for longer periods of shots required for the elbow extension. There was little difference observed in WF and BB. Thus, this result suggests that these muscles played a similar role during penalty, overhead, and push shots. Therefore, coaches should emphasize the strength, endurance, and flexibility training of the PM and AD that may improve shooting velocity. However, the stabilizing role of the BB and TB is an important factor for overall performance and should also be considered.

Goal Shot Analysis in Elite Water Polo—World Cup Final 2018 in Berlin

“…According to [22], on the side of the more general performance characteristics of the players' the age [17] and body height [21] are primary variables that influence the throwing velocity. On the side of the trainable physical components, hand grip strength [36] as well as shoulder rotator strength [18,37], specifically the pectoralis major muscle and deltoid muscle strength [38], and in-water shoulder proprioception [39], are the main determinants of throwing speed. Also a positive impact on throw velocity was shown for the vertical jump height by means of the water polo boost, and the height of the head above the water surface during the throw [17].…”

Relationship between strength training and shoulder pain in male and female water polo players

“…Furthermore, water polo requires ball throwing, repetitive passing, and shooting, which involve shoulder abduction and maximal external rotation (ER) at high speed ( Melchiorri et al, 2011 ). In most water-based launches, there is a greater demand on the musculature of the shoulder ( Yaghoubi et al, 2014 ), increasing the load and risk of injury.…”

Changes in Muscle Activation During and After a Shoulder-Fatiguing Task: A Comparison of Elite Female Swimmers and Water Polo Players

“…Previous research has identified the scapular stabilizers (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and middle trapezius) and internal rotators (latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major) as important contributors to the freestyle stroke (Nuber et al, 1986 ; Pink et al, 1991 ; Weldon and Richardson, 2001 ; Bedi, 2011 ). For water polo, the posterior deltoid, supraspinatus, and middle trapezius muscles play active roles in the cocking phase of the throwing task, and the pectoralis major and anterior deltoid in the follow through (Fleisig et al, 2009 ; Weber et al, 2014 ; Yaghoubi et al, 2014 ). When throwing while in water, the lack of a base of support requires the shoulder joint to produce more force than overhead throwing performed on land (Feltner and Taylor, 1997 ).…”