The effect of leg angle during push-up plus exercise on shoulder stabilization muscle activity.
Sangyong Lee, Janggon Kim
PMID 30774202WHAT IT FOUND
Raising the legs to a 110-degree angle during a push-up plus exercise significantly increased serratus anterior muscle activity compared to 70 and 90 degrees in healthy young men.
This finding does not confirm benefits for patients with shoulder pain or instability.
Key findings
01Serratus anterior muscle activity was significantly higher at a 110-degree leg angle than at 70 and 90 degrees.
02There were no significant differences in upper trapezius or pectoralis major muscle activity across the three leg angles.
03The study participants were healthy young adults, limiting generalization to injured populations.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Participants were healthy young men, so results do not apply to older adults, women, or individuals with shoulder pathology. The sample size was small (n=15). Maintaining a straight line from shoulders to ankles was difficult for participants, and operators sometimes had to lift the pelvis to maintain posture, which may have affected muscle activation patterns. The study measured muscle activity in healthy individuals, not functional outcomes or pain reduction.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that higher serratus anterior activity in healthy men translates to better outcomes for patients with shoulder pain. The study did not include injured individuals, and the difficulty in maintaining proper posture during the exercise suggests this position may be unsafe or unachievable for some patients.