Influence of Muscle Activation of Posterior Oblique Sling in Different Hip Positions among Three Different Shoulder Movements in Overhead Athletes: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Overhead movement demands optimal pelvic and scapular stability and alignment for efficient energy transfer during shoulder movements. Throughout a sports game, hyperactivity of the pelvic and scapular musculature might affect performance. As a result, we can establish goals for muscle strength and injury prevention. To study the muscles activation of posterior oblique sling muscles (POS) in different hip positions (Standing, Sitting and Lunge) with three different shoulder movements (flexion, extension & abduction) among a sportsman population.Material and methods: Muscle activation was recorded by surface electromyography in 38 male athletes of different sports cricket (bowlers)-10; baseball-9; volleyball-9; control group (recreational overhead)-10. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) measurements were collected in order to compare muscular activation. Every player performed shoulder flexion, abduction and extension in standing, sitting and lunge positions.Results: Significant differences in muscle activity were noted using a 3-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. The results of the study showed statistically significant interactions between individual groups, positions and muscles with shoulder movements (p = 0.001) and a pairwise comparison between subjects showed a significant difference (p = <0.05).Conclusions: All hip position changes may be beneficial in scapular rehabilitation training because more muscles are employed. However, in shoulder extension motions, posterior oblique sling muscles are activated more than abduction muscles. While sitting, the serratus anterior is the most active muscle, more than the lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and gluteus maximus.