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Electromyographic activities of the subscapularis, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during passive shoulder and active elbow exercises

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Postoperative exercises may increase load on repaired tendons. Differences in the activity of the rotator cuff muscles were assessed during several different types of passive shoulder and active elbow exercises.

Methods

In 15 healthy subjects, passive forward flexion of the shoulder was performed using a table, pulley and rope, and a cane, and external rotation was performed using a cane and a wall. The active elbow flexion–extension exercise was also performed while holding the upper arm with the contralateral hand. Activation amplitudes of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis muscles were evaluated using electromyography with fine wires.

Results

During passive forward flexion, the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles exhibited lower activity when using a table compared with a cane (both P < 0.01) and a pulley and rope (both P < 0.05). Flexion of <90° decreased supraspinatus activation compared with 170° (P = 0.047). During external rotation of the shoulder while using the cane and wall, there was no difference in the activity of any muscles. Electromyographic activity during the active elbow exercise was lower in the supraspinatus while holding the upper arm (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

The table sliding exercise may reduce stress on the rotator cuff during passive forward flexion more than the other exercises do. Decreasing the range of motion to less than 90° in forward flexion activated the supraspinatus less. Moreover, movement of the elbow can be performed holding the upper arm to activate the rotator cuff to a lesser extent.

Level of evidence

Prognostic study, Level II.

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Acknowledgments

In support of the authors’ research for or preparation of this work, $5,000 was donated by Dong-A Pharm.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea

    Myung-Chul Jung

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University Arthroscopy and Joint Research Institute, Seoul, Korea

    Sung-Jae Kim

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduated School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

    Sung-Jae Kim & Doo-Hyung Lee

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ajou University, San 5, Woncheon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-721, Korea

    Jae-Jun Rhee & Doo-Hyung Lee

Authors
  1. Myung-Chul Jung
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  2. Sung-Jae Kim
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  3. Jae-Jun Rhee
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  4. Doo-Hyung Lee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Doo-Hyung Lee.

Additional information

IRB approval by Ajou university hospital (AJIRB-MED-MDB-11-237).

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Jung, MC., Kim, SJ., Rhee, JJ. et al. Electromyographic activities of the subscapularis, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during passive shoulder and active elbow exercises. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 2238–2243 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3586-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3586-8

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