Article

Recent studies indicate that rotator cuff (RC) muscles are recruited in a
reciprocal, direction-specific pattern during shoulder flexion and extension
exercises. The main purpose of this study was to determine if similar reciprocal
RC recruitment occurs during bench press (flexion-like) and row (extension-like)
exercises. In addition, shoulder muscle activity was comprehensively compared
between bench press and flexion; row and extension; and bench press and row
exercises. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from 9 shoulder muscles
sites in 15 normal volunteers. All exercises were performed at 20, 50 and 70% of
subjects' maximal load. EMG data were normalized to standard maximal voluntary
contractions. Infraspinatus activity was significantly higher than subscapularis
during bench press, with the converse pattern during the row exercise.
Significant differences in activity levels were found in pectoralis major,
deltoid and trapezius between the bench press and flexion exercises and in lower
trapezius between the row and extension exercises. During bench press and row
exercises, the recruitment pattern in each active muscle did not vary with load.
During bench press and row exercises, RC muscles contract in a reciprocal
direction-specific manner in their role as shoulder joint dynamic stabilizers to
counterbalance antero-posterior translation forces.
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Langue : ANGLAIS