BACKGROUND Scapular muscles changes, as increased upper trapezius activity and decreased middle and lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity, have been demonstrated in shoulder pain specific or non-specific conditions.… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Scapular muscles changes, as increased upper trapezius activity and decreased middle and lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity, have been demonstrated in shoulder pain specific or non-specific conditions. Shoulder external rotation exercises have been recommended to improve scapular activity in shoulder pain. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relative scapular muscles activity during multi-joint exercises combining shoulder external rotation, trunk rotation and scapular squeeze. METHODS Forty-one participants with and without shoulder pain were assessed in a cross-sectional study. They performed isometric multi-joint exercises at 0∘ and 90∘ of shoulder abduction with and without support. The relative activity of upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior (upper/middle and lower portions) was measured through electromyography. The scapular muscular balance was assessed by the ratio between relative activity of the upper trapezius and the other muscles.
               
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