Activation of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii muscles was measured, while center of pressure excursion beneath the hands was simultaneously monitored, during the performance of a push-up exercise on both a stable and an unstable base of support. The activation levels of all muscles were significantly greater for the unstable support surface when compared to those for a stable support surface (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between activation of the serriatus anterior muscle and center of pressure excursion (r = -0.64, p < 0.05). Performance of the push-up exercise on an unstable support surface appears to elicit greater muscle activation than a standard push-up exercise performed on a stable support surface.
Search Results
Scapulothoracic Muscle Activation on Stable and Unstable Support Surfaces
Se-yeon Park, Won-gyu Yoo, Hun Kwon, Dong-hyun Kim, Si-eun Lee, and Mi-jin Park
Effects of Push-Up Exercise Phase and Surface Stability on Activation of the Scapulothoracic Musculature
Se-yeon Park and Won-gyu Yoo
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to measure muscle activation during ascending and descending phases of the push-up exercise on both stable and unstable support surfaces.
Participants:
Fourteen asymptomatic male amateur badminton players. During push-up exercises on stable and unstable bases, muscle activation measurements were collected with phase divisions (ascending and descending phase).
Methods:
Electromyography (EMG) was utilized to measure activation of the upper trapezius (UT) and lower trapezius (LT), middle serratus anterior (MSA) and lower serratus anterior (LSA), pectoralis major (PM), and triceps brachii (TB) muscles.
Results:
An unstable support surface produced significantly greater activation of the UT, LT, LSA, and PM muscles than a stable support surface (p < 0.05). The MSA, LSA, TB, and PM muscles demonstrated greater activation during the ascending phase than the descending phase of the push-up exercise (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The unstable support surface appeared to produce relatively greater activation of the LSA than that of the MSA. The descending phase of the push-up did not demonstrate a higher level of activation for any of the muscles tested.
Serratus Anterior Muscle Activation During Different Push-up Exercises: A Critically Appraised Topic
Taylor Meier, Brice Snyder, Jennifer W. Cuchna, and Johanna M. Hoch
Clinical Question:
In a healthy adult population, which push-up position produces the greatest mean serratus anterior (SA) activation, expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)?
Clinical Bottom Line:
In a healthy population, there is moderate evidence to support the use of the standard push-up on an unstable surface, elbow push-ups on stable and unstable surfaces, wall push-ups on an unstable surface, the full weight-bearing position using the Cuff Link system, and all three hand positions (shoulder width, wide base, and narrow base) with and without the use of the Perfect Pushup™ handgrips for the purpose of SA strengthening. These exercises produced a mean SA activation of at least 50% of the MVIC in the four cross-sectional studies that were reviewed for this critically appraised topic.
Core Concepts: Understanding the Complexity of the Spinal Stabilizing Systems in Local and Global Injury Prevention and Treatment
Lindsay Warren, Russell Baker, Alan Nasypany, and Jeffrey Seegmiller
The core is central to almost all extremity movements, especially in athletics. Running, jumping, kicking, and throwing are dependent on core function to create a stable base for movement. Poor core strength, endurance, stiffness, control, coordination, or a combination thereof can lead to decreased performance and increased risk of injury. Due to the core’s many complex elements, none of which are more or less important than the next, it is imperative that athletic trainers have a systematic and comprehensive plan for assessing and treating patients with stability or motor control dysfunctions of the entire spinal stabilizing system. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to outline the structural (anatomical) components of the core and their functions, establish the elements of core stability (functional), review these elements’ importance in decreasing the risk of injury, and discuss the application of this information in athletic training.
Lower-Extremity Visuomotor Reaction Time Is Not Different Between Males and Females Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Francesca M. Genoese, Michelle C. Walaszek, Katherine Collins, Elaine Reiche, Ashley Triplett, Matthew S. Harkey, Christopher Kuenze, and Shelby E. Baez
emphasis on balance during the task. LEVMRT was measured while the ACLR limb was deactivating lights (ACLR-Active) and when the ACLR limb was stabilizing while the nonsurgical limb deactivated the lights (ACLR-Stable). Participants completed three 30-s practice trials on each limb followed by one 1-min
Sequential Vertical Shear Fractures of the Medial Malleolus in a High School Football Player: A Case Report and Literature Review
Sravya Vajapey and Timothy L. Miller
stable internal fixation are the guiding principles of management for this unstable fracture pattern. The presence of a chronic stress fracture also requires consideration in the differential diagnosis. 2 Herscovici modified the classifications of Müller et al. and Pankovich et al. to group medial
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Following Microfracture Surgery for Osteochondritis Dissecans in a Collegiate Athlete
Emily E. Kruithof, Spencer A. Thomas, and Patricia Tripp
be considered with postsurgical rehabilitation. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition in which damage occurs to subchondral bone with possible secondary damage to the overlying articular cartilage. Patients with stable OCD of the knee often report an aching feeling or activity-related pain
Middle Facet Tarsal Coalition in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Athlete: An Exploration Clinical Case Report
Melinda Watts and Keilea Sumrall
. The patient began weight-bearing in a short leg walking cast for the following 9 weeks and transitioned to a removable boot with weight-bearing as tolerated prior to full clearance. Comparative Outcome The initial goals established by the patient and surgeon included creating a more stable subtalar
Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction in a Collegiate Lacrosse Athlete
Carly Routman, Tommy Stich, Giorgio Zippieri, Michael Moser, and Patricia M. Tripp
, suggesting injury to the rotational stabilizers of the knee (e.g., ALL). Diagnostic (KT 2000, MEDmetric Corporation, San Diego, CA) showed a difference bilaterally of less than 2 mm indicating that sagittal tibiofemoral movement was stable. In consultation with the orthopedic surgeon, the athlete opted for
Hip Pain in a Collegiate Gymnast
Alyssa C. Adams, Kelly B. Fleming, and Patricia M. Tripp
a stable hip joint. Hip dysplasia is a congenital condition in which the head of the femur is not adequately covered by the acetabulum. Dysplasia creates a smaller surface area for the femur, which increases the load placed on the hip socket and can lead to degeneration of the articular cartilage
