Electromyographical Comparison of a Traditional, Suspension Device, and Towel Pull-Up

Abstract

Strengthening muscles of the back may have various implications for improving functions of daily living, aiding in the transfer of power in throwing, and assist in injury prevention of the shoulder complex. While several versions of the pull-up exist, there is currently no literature comparing their differences. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the electromyographical activity of the latissimus dorsi, posterior deltoid, middle trapezius, and biceps brachii while performing three variations of the pull-up. Resistance-trained men and women (n =15, age = 24.87 ± 6.52 years) participated in this study by performing traditional pull-ups, suspension device pull-ups, and towel pull-ups in a randomized fashion. Each pull-up was performed for three repetitions with a 1.5 bi-acromial grip-width for each participant. Normalized (%MVC) electromyographical values were recorded for each muscle group during each pull-up variation. No significant differences existed within the latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii or posterior deltoid between any of the exercises. For the middle trapezius, towel pull-ups provided significantly lower muscle activity than the traditional pull-up, while no differences between suspension pull-ups and the other variations occurred. In conclusion, only one muscular difference existed between the exercise variations and all versions examined provided electromyographical values, determined by current literature, to invoke a sufficient stimulus to promote increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy. Although further research is needed, practitioners can be confident when programming any of the movement variations examined when attempting to elicit adaptations of muscular strength and hypertrophy.

The effects of knee flexion on muscle activation and performance during chin-up exercise

“…The current study findings add the knowledge on how manipulating techniques during an upper back exercise affect the muscle activation and performance by individuals [17,18,19,20]. More study is warranted to be conducted on the chronic effects of the exercises performed in various techniques manipulation on physical and physiological adaptation.…”

Bodyweight BOSU Ball Exercises

“…For instance, upper-body pushing movements (e.g., push-up and plank) performed on unstable surfaces have been demonstrated to elicit greater muscle excitation within primary and secondary movers as compared to traditional variations (3,7,14,15,31,32,35). However, upper-body pulling movements (e.g., inverted rows and pull-ups) have provided a similar or slight decrease (;6%) in excitation patterns of the main muscle groups (30,34). Within lowerbody movements, such as the squat and lunge, stabilization musculature of the core and limbs often display increased sEMG myoelectrical activity.…”

A Comparison of Muscle Activation during the Pull-up and Three Alternative Pulling Exercises

“…Exercises that are often used in training programs to improve upper body pulling strength and muscular endurance include the seated lat-pulldown, assisted pull-up/chin-up machine, Baumgartner Modified Pull-up, Band/partner-assisted pull-ups, kipping pull-ups, suspended pull-ups, etc. Baumgartner and Gaunt [4] Halet, Mayhew, Murphy and Fanthorpe [5], Johnson, Lynch, Nash, Cygan and Mayhew [6]; Ronai & Scibek [7], Snarr, Casey, Hallmark and Esco [8], Snarr, Hallmark, Casey and Esco [9]. While all of these exercises utilize the pulling motion, some are likely more similar to the traditional pull-up exercise than others.…”

“…latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, trapezius, deltoid, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, etc. Dickie, Faulkner, Barnes and Lark [10], Snarr [9]. Activating the main muscles used in the alternative pulling exercises to a similar extent as that of the pullup will result in maximal transference from the training program and exercises to the exercise of interest; the body weight pull-up.…”

“…kipping) integrate a greater amount of momentum when performing the pulling action than that of the traditional pullup from a dead hang. As previous research has reported, the muscular demand of the upper body is significantly lower when performing kipping pull-ups when compared to that of traditional pull-ups Snarr [8]. Therefore, exercises of this nature will also not be used as alternative pulling exercises for this study (e.g.…”