The use of fine-wire EMG to investigate shoulder muscle recruitment patterns during cello bowing: the results of a pilot study.
The physical mechanics of music making is important both in the prevention of injuries and in guiding how music is performed and taught. Electromyography has potential as a resource in understanding the loads involved in instrumental playing; however, only a small number of projects have been undertaken, and little is understood on the muscle activity used during bowing on string instruments. This study aimed to measure the muscle activity at the bowing shoulder of a cellist during cello playing and to establish if fine-wire EMG is useful in understanding muscle recruitment in string players without interfering with normal playing ability. This project used a combination of fine-wire and surface EMG to evaluate the muscular load placed on the right shoulder of a professional cellist whilst playing a set of various bowing exercises. The results indicated that different bowing techniques produced statistically different muscle activity levels, with the supraspinatus muscle in particular maintaining higher mean contraction (20% MVC) during all bowing patterns tested. Fine-wire EMG was useful in measuring shoulder muscle load and did not interfere with normal playing technique of the subject. Overall, the study presents a working protocol from which future studies may be able conduct further research.
University of Queensland School of Music, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: dalerickert@gmail.com.
Dale L
DL
Rickert
Mark
M
Halaki
Karen A
KA
Ginn
Margaret S
MS
Barrett
Bronwen J
BJ
Ackermann
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009146:Music; D010808:Physical Examination; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological / Q000502:physiology; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
Cello players; Electromyography; Muscular load; Shoulder injuries; String biomechanics