Electromyographic analysis of knee push up plus variations: what is the influence of the kinetic chain on scapular muscle activity?
OBJECTIVE
First, to look for appropriate closed kinetic chain exercises to restore intramuscular imbalance between upper trapezius (UT) and serratus anterior (SA) in overhead athletes. Second, to determine the influence of using diagonal pattern muscle recruitment during knee push up plus (KPP) exercises on scapular electromyographic activity.


METHODS
Single group repeated-measures design.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Thirty-two physically active individuals in good general health who did not have a history of neck and/or shoulder injury or surgery nor participated in high-level overhead sports or performed upper limb strength training for more than 5 h/week. Interventions Subjects performed the standard KPP and six variations.


METHODS
Electromyographic activity of the three trapezius parts and the SA.


RESULTS
Four exercises with a low UT/SA can be selected for rehabilitation of intramuscular balance: standard KPP, KPP with homolateral leg extension, KPP with a wobble board and homolateral leg extension and one-handed KPP. The use of a wobble board during KPP exercises and performance on one hand has no influence on SA electromyographic activity. Heterolateral leg extension during KPP stimulates lower trapezius activity, whereas homolateral leg extension stimulates SA activity.


CONCLUSIONS
In case of intramuscular scapular imbalance, some exercises are preferable over others because of their low UT/SA ratio. The use of a kinetic chain approach during KPP exercises influences scapular muscle activity.
Maenhout
A
A
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B9000 Ghent, Belgium. annelies.maenhout@ugent.be
Van Praet
K
K
Pizzi
L
L
Van Herzeele
M
M
Cools
A
A
D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012540:Scapula; D055815:Young Adult