title: EMG activity of the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles during the different phases of the push-up plus exercise on different support surfaces and different hand positions.
abstract: [Purpose] The appropriate exercise prescription is crucial for achieving scapular stability and providing successful rehabilitation, and the Push-up Plus (PuP) exercise has an important role in shoulder rehabilitation. Consequently, this study examined the effect of support surface stability, hand positioning, and phase of exercise, on the trapezius and serratus anterior muscle contractions as well as on the EMG ratio of the upper/lower trapezius. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen healthy male volunteers participated in this study. The subjects performed the PuP exercise on stable and unstable supporting surfaces with three different hand orientations. During the PuP exercise, the muscle activities of the upper (UT) and lower (LT) trapezius, as well as the serratus anterior (SA) were measured and expressed as percentages of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). [Results] The EMG activities of UT and LT were statistically greater during the push-up phase compared to the plus phase of the exercise. The contrary was recorded for the activity of the SA. SA was affected by the support surface as well as by the hand positioning. [Conclusion] The results suggest that different phases of the PuP exercise require different muscle stability actions with corresponding activations of appropriate muscle fibers. A detailed prescription of the required phase of the exercise can more effectively activate the scapula-thoracic musculature.
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Gioftsos
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: Michail
authors: M
authors: Arvanitidis
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Tsimouris
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: Assimakis
authors: A
authors: Kanellopoulos
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Paras
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Trigkas
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Sterea Ellada, Greece.
authors: Vasiliki
authors: V
authors: Sakellari
keywords: Electromyography; Push-up plus; Scapular stabilizers