Serratus Anterior Muscle Activity During Selected Rehabilitation Exercises

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document the electromyographic activity and applied resistance associated with eight scapulohumeral exercises performed below shoulder height. We used this information to design a continuum of serratus anterior muscle exercises for progressive rehabilitation or training. Five muscles in 20 healthy subjects were studied with surface electrodes for the following exercises: shoulder extension, forward punch, serratus anterior punch, dynamic hug, scaption (with external rotation), press-up, push-up plus, and knee push-up plus. Electromyographic data were collected from the middle serratus anterior, upper and middle trapezius, and anterior and posterior deltoid muscles. Each exercise was partitioned into phases of increasing and decreasing force and analyzed for average and peak electromyographic amplitude. Resistance was provided by body weight, an elastic cord, or dumbbells. The serratus anterior punch, scaption, dynamic hug, knee push-up plus, and push-up plus exercises consistently elicited serratus anterior muscle activity greater than 20% maximal voluntary contraction. The exercises that maintained an upwardly rotated scapula while accentuating scapular protraction, such as the push-up plus and the newly designed dynamic hug, elicited the greatest electromyographic activity from the serratus anterior muscle.

Effects of Wrist-extension Orthosis on Shoulder and Scapular Muscle Activities during Simulated Assembly Tasks

“…When subjects performed this task there was an increase in the activation of the anterior deltoid muscles, the function of which is shoulder abduction, and the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles, which operate in combination to produce a coupled force to move the scapula toward upward rotation. Our results clearly show that this task produces a large shoulder and scapular motion 16,21) . This may be explained by the increased muscle activities in the shoulder and scapular muscles 22) .…”

Three-Dimensional Scapular and Clavicular Kinematics and Scapular Muscle Activity During Retraction Exercises

“…12,30,36,39,56,61 Therefore, rehabilitation exercises that target activation of the scapular muscles have been evaluated using electromyography (EMG) in a number of studies. 8,10,11,13,20,22,30,34,35,38,41,47,50 While these previous studies provided useful information regarding the muscles being activated during various exercises, they did not document the associated scapular kinematics. Measurement of the scapular and clavicular movement, along with muscle activity during exercises, will provide additional information clinicians can use to select exercises based on their patient's needs.…”

“…The upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles highly influence the scapular movement through its broad attachments. 3,5,8,10,11,23,30,37,38,46 These muscles are also located superficially, allowing examination of the muscle activity using surface EMG electrodes.…”

Isometric Contraction of Scapular Muscles Activities during Horizontal Abduction and Adduction of the Shoulder

“…Effective exercises for their scapular muscles strengthening have been studied. Decker et al reported that push-up, dynamic hug, and serratus anterior punch have higher serratus anterior activity and they recommended serratus anterior exercises [21]. Furthermore, Moseley et al and Ekstrom et al indicated that horizontal abduction of the shoulder joint with external rotation is good exercise for the middle trapezius muscle [22,23].…”