Surface electromyographic analysis of the serratus anterior during 1 bench press variations

Abstract

8 Purpose: Bench press variations that elicit greater serratus anterior muscle activation may be 9 preferable for improving scapula stability and avoiding injury in overhead throwing athletes. 10Here we compare serratus anterior activity during dumbbell and barbell bench press using 11 surface electromyography (EMG). 12Methods: Forty college and professional baseball pitchers (men, age 22.6 ± 2.5 years) performed 13four sets of bench press-light (43 kg) and heavy (61 kg) dumbbell and barbell-with five 14repetitions each. Each pitcher was instructed in proper technique and rested for 90 seconds 15 between sets. Surface electrodes were used to record serratus anterior activity during isometric 16contraction (for normalization) and during each set. 17Results: Dumbbell sets showed significantly greater serratus anterior activation than barbell 18 sets at both weights (weight-normalized mean EMG amplitude, 44.7 versus 38.2; p = .005). 19Conclusion: This suggests that dumbbell press is preferable to barbell press for building serratus 20anterior muscle strength. 22Keywords 23 overhead throwing athlete, dumbbell, barbell, scapular stability, activation 24 25 DOI 26