AN ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE SCAPULAR STABILIZING SYNERGISTS DURING A PUSH-UP PROGRESSION

Current literature recommends incorporating push-up progressions into upper extremity rehabilitation for advanced training of the scapular s tabilizers. No documentation exists to demonstrate changes in the leve l oi muscle activation when push-up progressions are performed. The pu rpose oi this study was to determine the effect of difficulty level fo r push-ups on electrical activity oi the scapular stabilizing synergis ts. Sixteen subjects performed live repetitions for each of the three conditions in a push-up progression. Electromyographic data collected on the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius reveale d a statistically significant interaction effect between the serratus anterior and upper trapezius and push-up condition when the feet were elevated No significant interaction was found between push-up conditio n and the lower trapezius. This study supports the clinical use of pus h-up progressions to facilitate activation of the serratus anterior an d the upper trapezius during upper extremity rehabilitation.