title: Scapular muscle activity in overhead and nonoverhead athletes during closed chain exercises.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare scapular muscle activity in healthy overhead and nonoverhead athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  One between (group) and 1 within (exercise) repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled laboratory environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen overhead sport athletes (10 women and 5 men) and 15 nonoverhead sport athletes (10 women and 5 men).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects completed 5 individual trials of a Cuff Link, standard push-up, and supine pull-up while surface electromyography (EMG) recorded muscle activity of 4 scapular muscles on the throwing dominant side. Mean EMG data were normalized to a maximum voluntary isometric contraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normalized mean EMG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The upper trapezius was significantly more active (F2,56 = 70.118; P < 0.001) during supine pull-up (61.57 ± 29.67%) than during push-up (27.89 ± 16.21%) and Cuff Link (5.50 ± 2.94%). The middle trapezius was significantly more active (F2,56 = 134.192; P < 0.001) during supine pull-up (62.89 ± 24.17%) than during push-up (21.12 ± 13.10%) and Cuff Link (6.59 ± 4.81%). The lower trapezius was significantly more active (F2,56 = 41.326; P < 0.001) during supine pull-up (60.47 ± 34.80%) than during push-up (34.80 ± 30.81%) and Cuff Link (9.67 ± 4.34%). For upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius, the levels of activation during push-up were significantly greater compared with those during Cuff Link. The serratus anterior was significantly more active (F2,56 = 25.652; P < 0.001) during push-up (49.97 ± 18.86%) and Cuff Link (43.81 ± 19.70%) than during supine pull-up (25.52 ± 19.80%). There were no significant influences of group on muscle activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overhead and nonoverhead athletes elicited similar levels of muscle activation. Differences in muscle activation existed within the 3 exercises. Clinicians should consider the muscle of interest when prescribing one of these exercises.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas 72035, USA. stucker@uca.edu
authors.forename: W Steven
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bruenger
authors.forename: Carrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Doster
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hoffmeyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001484:Baseball / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012540:Scapula; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D014142:Track and Field / Q000502:physiology; D054798:Volleyball / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult