The effects of finger extension on shoulder muscle activity.
[Purpose] This study aims to examine the effects of the extension of the fingers (distal upper limb) on the activity of the shoulder muscles (proximal upper limb). [Subjects and Methods] This study involved 14 healthy male adults with no musculoskeletal disorder or pain related to the shoulders and hands. The subjects in a sitting posture abducted the angle of the shoulder joints at 60° and had their palms in the front direction. Electromyography (EMG) was comparatively analyzed to look at the activities of the infraspinatus (IS) and rhomboid major (RM) when the fingers were extended and relaxed. [Results] The activity of the IS was statistically significantly higher when the fingers were extended than when they were relaxed. [Conclusion] According to the result of this study, finger extension is considered to affect the muscles for connected shoulder joint stability.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Graduate School, Catholic University of Daegu, Republic of Korea ; Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Humana Namsan Hospital, Republic of Korea.
Chae-Woo
CW
Yi
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Graduate School, Catholic University of Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Ju-Yong
JY
Shin
Faculty of Physical Education, College of Art and Physical Education, Sangji University, Republic of Korea.
Youn-Joung
YJ
Kim
Finger extension; Infraspinatus; Rhomboid major