Shoulder muscle activation during aquatic and dry land exercises in nonimpaired subjects

Study Design: Randomized, single blind experimental design using electromyo graphy to measure shoulder muscle activation in nonimpaired subjects. Objectives: To compare the muscle activation of rotator cuff and shoulder s ynergists during rehabilitation exercises performed in water or on dry land . Background: Early motion is critical to restoration of normal shoulder func tion. Aquatic therapy has been promoted as a method for increasing range of motion while minimizing stress on the shoulder. Methods and Measures: The integrated electromyography amplitude of 6 muscle s of the shoulder girdle was examined on the nondominant shoulders of 6 sub jects (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis, anterior, middle, a nd posterior deltoids). Each subject performed elevation (0 degrees to 90 d egrees) in the scapular plane with neutral rotation on land and in water at 3 different speeds of elevation (30 degrees/s, 45 degrees/s, and 90 degree s/s), The mean percentage of the maximal voluntary contraction was determin ed for each of the 3 test speeds on land and in water. Comparisons between water and dry land were made with a repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: For all 6 muscles tested, muscle activation during the 30 degrees/ s test speed and all muscles tested at the 45 degrees/s test speed was sign ificantly less when performed in water versus when performed on land. For e xample, electromyography activation of the supraspinatus muscle was 16.68% of a maximal voluntary contraction when elevation at was performed at 30 de grees/s on dry land versus 3.93% when performed in water, Conclusion: These data suggest that shoulder elevation in the water at slow er speeds resulted in a significantly lower activation of the rotator cuff and synergistic muscles. This decreased muscle activation during aquatic ph ysical therapy allows for earlier active motion in the postoperative period without compromising patient safety.