Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Muscle Activation Associated with Scapular Function and Dysfunction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Disorders of the Scapula and Their Role in Shoulder Injury

Abstract

This chapter discusses the role of muscles involved with the production and control of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joint movements. The role of the primary muscles and muscle force couples involved with scapulothoracic and glenohumeral movements is presented. Specifically, production and control of the scapulothoracic movement by the trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboids, serratus anterior, and pectoralis minor is offered. The role of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles as the primary muscles that produce glenohumeral movements and provide glenohumeral stability is detailed. In addition, muscle force couples that allow smooth glenohumeral elevation through a coordinated balance of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral movements are reviewed. Neuromuscular lesions such as nerve entrapment, neuritis, or nerve lesions result in altered muscle activation that in turn produces aberrant kinematics. Impairment to the long thoracic nerve, spinal accessory nerve, dorsal scapular nerve, and suprascapular nerve is examined. Impaired flexibility of soft tissues associated with the shoulder girdle has been proposed to influence the position and movement of the scapula. The pectoralis minor muscle and posterior rotator cuff musculature/posterior glenohumeral joint capsule are discussed along with clinical implications for rehabilitation guidelines.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ludewig PM, Phadke V, Braman JP, Hassett DR, Cieminski CJ, LaPrade RF. Motion of the shoulder complex during multiplanar humeral elevation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91(2):378–89.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Ebaugh DD, McClure PW, Karduna AR. Three-dimensional scapulothoracic motion during active and passive arm elevation. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2005;20(7):700–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Johnson G, Bogduk N, Nowitzke A, House D. Anatomy and actions of the trapezius muscle. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1994;9(1):44–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Paine RM, Voight M. The role of the scapula. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993;18(1):386–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Perry J. Normal upper extremity kinesiology. Phys Ther. 1978;58(3):265–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bertelli JA, Ghizoni MF. Long thoracic nerve: anatomy and functional assessment. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):993–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Culham E, Peat M. Functional anatomy of the shoulder complex. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993;18(1):342–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kuechle DK, Newman SR, Itoi E, Niebur GL, Morrey BF, An KN. The relevance of the moment arm of shoulder muscles with respect to axial rotation of the glenohumeral joint in four positions. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2000;15(5):322–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Liu J, Hughes RE, Smutz WP, Niebur G, Nan-An K. Roles of deltoid and rotator cuff muscles in shoulder elevation. Clin Biomech. 1997;12(1):32–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Arwert HJ, de Groot J, Van Woensel WW, Rozing PM. Electromyography of shoulder muscles in relation to force direction. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 1997;6(4):360–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kronberg M, Nemeth G, Brostrom LA. Muscle activity and coordination in the normal shoulder. An electromyographic study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990;257:76–85.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kadaba MP, Cole A, Wootten ME, McCann P, Reid M, Mulford G, et al. Intramuscular wire electromyography of the subscapularis. J Orthop Res. 1992;10(3):394–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sarrafian SK. Gross and functional anatomy of the shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983;173:11–9.

    Google Scholar 

  14. van der Helm FC. A finite element musculoskeletal model of the shoulder mechanism. J Biomech. 1994;27(5):551–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Yanagawa T, Goodwin CJ, Shelburne KB, Giphart JE, Torry MR, Pandy MG. Contributions of the individual muscles of the shoulder to glenohumeral joint stability during abduction. J Biomech Eng. 2008;130(2):021024.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Otis JC, Jiang CC, Wickiewicz TL, Peterson MG, Warren RF, Santner TJ. Changes in the moment arms of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles with abduction and rotation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1994;76(5):667–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hughes RE, Niebur G, Liu J, An KN. Comparison of two methods for computing abduction moment arms of the rotator cuff. J Biomech. 1998;31(2):157–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kuechle DK, Newman SR, Itoi E, Morrey BF, An KN. Shoulder muscle moment arms during horizontal flexion and elevation. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 1997;6(5):429–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Reinold MM, Wilk KE, Fleisig GS, Zheng N, Barrentine SW, Chmielewski T, et al. Electromyographic analysis of the rotator cuff and deltoid musculature during common shoulder external rotation exercises. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2004;34(7):385–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Basmajian JV, De Luca C. Muscles alive. In: Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. Vol. 278. 1985. p. 126.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Brandell B, Wilkinson D. An electromyographic study of manual testing procedures for the trapezius and deltoid muscles. Physiother Can. 1991;43(3):33–9.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Poppen NK, Walker PS. Forces at the glenohumeral joint in abduction. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978;135:165–70.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Johnston T. The movements of the shoulder-joint a plea for the use of the plane of the scapula’s the plane of reference for movements occurring at the humero-scapular joint. Br J Surg. 1937;25(98):252–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Karduna AR, Kerner PJ, Lazarus MD. Contact forces in the subacromial space: effects of scapular orientation. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2005;14(4):393–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ludewig PM, Behrens SA, Meyer SM, Spoden SM, Wilson LA. Three-dimensional clavicular motion during arm elevation: reliability and descriptive data. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2004;34(3):140–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ludewig PM, Cook TM, Nawoczenski DA. Three-dimensional scapular orientation and muscle activity at selected positions of humeral elevation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996;24(2):57–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. McClure PW, Michener LA, Sennett BJ, Karduna AR. Direct 3-dimensional measurement of scapular kinematics during dynamic movements in vivo. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2001;10(3):269–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ludewig PM, Cook TM. Alterations in shoulder kinematics and associated muscle activity in people with symptoms of shoulder impingement. Phys Ther. 2000;80(3):276–91.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Freedman L, Munro RR. Abduction of the arm in the scapular plane: scapular and glenohumeral movements. A roentgenographic study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1966;48(8):1503–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lippitt S, Matsen F. Mechanisms of glenohumeral joint stability. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1993;291:20–8.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Inman VT, Saunders JB, Abbott LC. Observations on the function of the shoulder joint. J Bone Joint Surg. 1944;26(1):1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Payne L, Deng X, Craig E, Torzilli P, Warren R. The combined dynamic and static contributions to subacromial impingement. Am J Sports Med. 1997;25(6):801–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Roren A, Fayad F, Poiraudeau S, Fermanian J, Revel M, Dumitrache A, et al. Specific scapular kinematic patterns to differentiate two forms of dynamic scapular winging. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2013;28(8):941–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Akgun K, Aktas I, Terzi Y. Winged scapula caused by a dorsal scapular nerve lesion: a case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(10):2017–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Sultan HE, Younis El-Tantawi GA. Role of dorsal scapular nerve entrapment in unilateral interscapular pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94(6):1118–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. McCully SP, Suprak DN, Kosek P, Karduna AR. Suprascapular nerve block disrupts the normal pattern of scapular kinematics. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2006;21(6):545–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. San Juan JG, Kosek P, Karduna AR. Humeral head translation after a suprascapular nerve block. J Appl Biomech. 2013;29(4):371–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Camargo PR, Zanca GG, Okino PS, Russo TL, Michener LA. Scapular kinematics and muscle performance in a single case of parsonage-turner. Man Ther. 2014;19(1):77–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kibler BW, McMullen J. Scapular dyskinesis and its relation to shoulder pain. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2003;11(2):142–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Sahrman S. Movement impairment syndromes of the shoudler girdle. In:Diagnosis and treatment of movement impairment syndromes. St Louis: Mosby; 2002. p. 193–261.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Borstad JD. Resting position variables at the shoulder: evidence to support a posture-impairment association. Phys Ther. 2006;86(4):549–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Borstad JD. Measurement of pectoralis minor muscle length: validation and clinical application. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(4):169–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Borstad JD, Ludewig PM. The effect of long versus short pectoralis minor resting length on scapular kinematics in healthy individuals. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35(4):227–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Kibler WB, Ludewig PM, McClure P, Uhl TL, Sciascia A. Scapular summit 2009: introduction. July 16, 2009, Lexington, Kentucky. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(11):A1–A13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Struyf F, Meeus M, Fransen E, Roussel N, Jansen N, Truijen S, et al. Interrater and intrarater reliability of the pectoralis minor muscle length measurement in subjects with and without shoulder impingement symptoms. Man Ther. 2014;19(4):294–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Yesilaprak S, Yuksel E, KalKan S. Influence of pectoralis minor and upper trapezius lengths on observable scapular dyskinesis. Phys Ther Sport. 2016;19:7–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Borich MR, Bright JM, Lorello DJ, Cieminski CJ, Buisman T, Ludewig PM. Scapular angular positioning at end range internal rotation in cases of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(12):926–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Laudner KG, Moline MT, Meister K. The relationship between forward scapular posture and posterior shoulder tightness among baseball players. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(10):2106–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Thomas SJ, Higginson JS, Kaminski TW, Swanik KA, Bartolozzi AR, Abboud JA, et al. A bilateral comparison of posterior capsule thickness and its correlation with glenohumeral range of motion and scapular upward rotation in collegiate baseball players. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2011;20(5):708–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Thomas SJ, Swanik KA, Swanik CB, Kelly JD. Internal rotation deficits affect scapular positioning in baseball players. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(6):1551–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 1601 Cherry Street MS 7-502, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    David Ebaugh PT, PhD

  2. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 1601 Cherry Street MS 7-502, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Margaret Finley PT, PhD

Authors
  1. David Ebaugh PT, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Margaret Finley PT, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Ebaugh PT, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lexington Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    W. Ben Kibler

  2. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, USA

    Aaron D. Sciascia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ebaugh, D., Finley, M. (2017). Muscle Activation Associated with Scapular Function and Dysfunction. In: Kibler, W., Sciascia, A. (eds) Disorders of the Scapula and Their Role in Shoulder Injury. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53584-5_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53584-5_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-53582-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-53584-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation