title: Effects of gender and hand dominance on size of the lower trapezius muscle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influence of gender and hand dominance on the size of the lower trapezius muscle has not been studied. We aimed to identify the effects of gender and hand dominance on thickness of this muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy subjects (15 men and 15 women) were recruited for the study. The thickness of the lower trapezius muscles was measured bilaterally at the level of T8 at rest and with contraction at 130° of shoulder abduction using ultrasound imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men had significantly greater thickness of the lower trapezius muscle than women, both at rest and with contraction (P < 0.01). Greater lower trapezius muscle thickness was found on the dominant side compared with the non-dominant side (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender and side dominance differences should be controlled for when investigating lower trapezius muscle thickness.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.|Back, Neck and Other Joint Pain Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Sureeporn
authors: S
authors: Uthaikhup
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors: Nipaporn
authors: N
authors: Wannaprom
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors: Panuwat
authors: P
authors: Kummaung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: gender; hand dominance; lower trapezius; thickness; ultrasound