J Korean Phys Ther.  2019 Apr;31(2):134-139. 10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.2.134.

Comparison of the Electromyographic Activity in the Lower Trapezius Muscle According to Four Different Types of Exercises in Healthy Adults

• Seo GJ
• Park JW
• Kwon Y

• KMID: 2448922
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2019.31.2.134

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the most effective exercise while performing shoulder abduction below ninety degrees.
METHODS
Thirty two healthy individuals (17 males, 15 females) participated and performed four exercises, 1) Posterior fly, 2) Prone row, 3) Modified prone cobra, and 4) External rotation in the prone position. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities for the lower, middle and upper fiber of trapezius and serratus anterior.
RESULTS
A significant difference in the muscle activities of the upper/middle/lower trapezius and serratus anterior was observed among the three different positions in terms of the PF (posterior fly), PR (prone row), and MPC (modified prone cobra) (p<0.05). In post-hoc analysis, the activities of the lower and upper trapezius were significantly higher than those of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior (p<0.05). In addition, in ERP (external rotation in prone), there was a significant difference in each activity of the muscles. Post-hoc results indicated that the upper trapezius showed greater EMG activity than the other three muscles.
CONCLUSION
External rotation in the prone position revealed the highest activation of the lower trapezius compared to upper trapezius muscle activity. This may be particularly useful in isolating the lower trapezius in cases where excessive scapular elevation is noted. Therefore, the most effective lower trapezius exercise should be performed below ninety degrees of shoulder abduction.

Keyword

Lower trapezius; Exercise position; Electromyography

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Diptera
Elapidae
Electromyography
Exercise*
Humans
Male
Muscles
Prone Position
Shoulder
Superficial Back Muscles*