ABSTRACT:We investigated the effects of scapular tape on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), anterior deltoid (AD), and shoulder proprioception in 12 healthy shoulders. Participants were blindfolded and required to complete a target end/mid range position with the hand. They performed six trials under two experimental conditions; no tape and therapeutic tape. EMG activity was measured by surface electrodes, and proprioception was measured by the FASTRAK electromagnetic motion tracking system. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that UT and AD activities decreased 2.65% (p = 0.001), and SA muscular activities increased 1.9% (p = 0.015) in the taping condition. The proprioceptive feedback magnitude was significantly lower in the taping condition than in the no taping condition (11.9 • , p < 0.005). Additionally, correlation coefficients were higher than 0.5 between muscle activity and proprioceptive feedback with the taping condition; UT and magnitude in the mid range task (R = 0.516); LT and magnitude in the end range task (R = −0.524); and SA and magnitude in the mid range task (R = −0.576). The results suggest that scapular tape affects the muscle activity of UT, AD, and SA, and that the effects are related to proprioception feedback. These results implicate that the mechanisms by which scapular taping induces effects can be explained by neuromuscular control and proprioceptive feedback factors.
These findings support that muscle stiffness is related to shoulder range of motion. It is important to consider the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles in the rehabilitation of patients with restricted internal rotation of the shoulder.
Physiological tremor and strength during the maintenance of shoulder position occur during a precision aiming task, such as archery. It is unclear how positions for precision demands affect physiological tremor and associated muscular activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the tremor amplitude and muscular activities of the shoulder between the various positions for precision demands. Ten males (age 21.9 +/- 2.0 years) participated in the study. Electromyography (EMG) was quantified on eight humeral/scapular muscles. The tremor was measured by the acceleration component of a motion tracking sensor in the 3-7 Hz and 8-12 Hz frequency bands. Participants simulated six preparatory archery shooting positions (3 arm angles x 2 arm draw positions) and performed isometric contractions. The relative root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of the shoulder muscles were significantly greater for the full drawing position compared with the partial position (humeral muscles: P = 0.011; scapular muscles: P = 0.026). In the full drawing position, increased humeral/scapular muscle EMG amplitude was moderately associated with an increased power spectrum of 8-12/3-7 Hz tremor in humerus/scapula motion (R = 0.43-0.57). To minimize fluctuations in high strength muscle performance, 90 degrees of elevation in the full drawing position may be a suitable position for demands in archery. In addition, scapular muscle amplitude is important for stability to reduce humerus tremor during archery performance.
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