Influence of scapular motion cues on trapezius muscle activity during Y exercise.

Background: The Y exercise is a therapeutic exercise facilitating lower trapezius muscle activity.

Objective: To identify the effects of scapular movement cues (posterior tilt vs. posterior tilt with adduction/depression) on trapezius muscle activity during Y exercise.

The effects of biofeedback training for efficient activation of infraspinatus on proprioception and EMG activity during shoulder external rotation.

The purpose of this study investigated which biofeedback (BF) training enables efficient activation of the infraspinatus muscle that affect joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) of the shoulder joint. Twenty healthy males participated and performed three external rotation (ER) exercises under three randomly assigned training conditions: 1) non-biofeedback (NBF), 2) BF and 3) force biofeedback (FBF). Each exercise was performed at intervals of one week between training conditions.

Effects of Intended Scapular Posterior Tilt Motion on Trapezius Muscle Electromyography Activity.

The intended scapular motion is a strategy to strengthen the lower trapezius (LT). However, few studies have explored the effects of the intended scapular posterior tilt motion on selective LT activation. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of the intended scapular posterior tilt on the electromyography (EMG) activity of trapezius muscles during prone shoulder horizontal abduction (PSHA).

Strategies for controlling axial shoulder rotation change shoulder muscle activity during external rotation exercises.

Background: The infraspinatus muscle has a crucial role in shoulder stability. Although axial shoulder rotation is useful for selective activation of the infraspinatus, no study has examined the influence of exercise position on axial shoulder rotation during shoulder external rotation (ER) exercises. Thus, this study investigated the muscle activity in the infraspinatus, posterior deltoid, and middle trapezius during shoulder ER exercises performed with and without controlled axial shoulder rotation in 2 different positions.

Appropriate Resistance Intensity and Effective Exercise for Activation of Infraspinatus.

We investigated the muscle activities of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid, as well as the ratio of the infraspinatus to posterior deltoid muscle activities, in response to 3 resistance intensities during prone external rotation (PER) and sitting external rotation (SITER) exercises. Fifteen healthy males participated; the subjects performed two exercises randomly at three resistance intensity levels: 1) low intensity (10-20%); 2) medium intensity (45-55%); 3) high intensity (60-70%). Surface electromyography was used to measure the activities of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles.

Effects of real-time visual biofeedback of pelvic movement on electromyographic activity of hip muscles and lateral pelvic tilt during unilateral weight-bearing and side-lying hip abduction exercises.

Although neutral pelvic alignment is important for hip abduction exercises, studies exploring objectively monitored pelvic alignment on the gluteus medius (Gmed) muscle activity during hip abduction exercises, especially under weight-bearing (WB) conditions, are limited. Therefore, we examined the effects of real-time visual biofeedback (RVBF) of pelvic movement on electromyographic (EMG) activity of hip muscles and lateral pelvic tilt during unilateral WB and side-lying hip abductions. Fifteen male participants performed unilateral WB and side-lying hip abduction exercises with and without RVBF.

The effects of pressure biofeedback training on infraspinatus muscle activity and muscle thickness.

The aim of this study was to investigate muscle activity in the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid and infraspinatus muscle thickness during a prone external rotation (PER) exercise using pressure biofeedback. Fifteen healthy men participated in this study, performing PER exercise with pressure biofeedback under four conditions (comfortable, 2 mm Hg, 4 mm Hg, and 8 mm Hg). Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to monitor infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscle activity, and ultrasonography was used to collect infraspinatus muscle thickness data.

Effects of 3 Infraspinatus Muscle Strengthening Exercises on Isokinetic Peak Torque and Muscle Activity.

Context: The infraspinatus muscle plays a particularly important role in producing primary external rotation (ER) torque and dynamic stability of the shoulder joint. Previous studies have reported that prone external rotation with horizontal abduction (PER), side-lying wiper exercise (SWE), and standing external rotation (STER) were effective exercises for strengthening the infraspinatus. However, we do not have enough knowledge about changes in muscle strength and dynamic muscle activity in each exercise under dynamic conditions.

Reliability of ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion measurements obtained using a hand-held goniometer and Biodex dynamometer in stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study investigated the reliability of ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM) measurements obtained using a goniometer and Biodex dynamometer in stroke patients. [Subjects] Fifteen stroke patients participated in this study. [Methods] Ankle DF-PROM was assessed using a goniometer and Biodex dynamometer.

Effects of lifting the non-paretic foot on muscle activity during the semi-squat exercise in hemiplegic patients.

[Purpose] This study compared the electromyographic activity of the quadriceps in hemiplegic patients during the downward, maintenance, and upward phases of squat exercises performed with the feet parallel and with the non-paretic foot lifted. [Subjects] A total of 17 hemiplegic patients (9 males and 8 females) volunteered for this study. [Methods] All subjects performed squat exercises with the knees flexed to 30° and with the feet parallel (shoulder-width apart) or with lifting of the non-paretic foot (normalized to 25% of the knee height).

Immediate effects of an end-range mobilization technique on shoulder range of motion and skin temperature in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of an end-range mobilization technique on the range of motion of the glenohumeral internal rotation and the skin temperature of the shoulder in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness. [Subjects] Thirteen subjects with posterior shoulder tightness who had glenohumeral internal rotation deficit ≥ 15° participated. [Methods] All subjects underwent glenohumeral joint end-range mobilization intervention.