Variation of muscle recruitment during exercises performed below horizontal arm elevation that target the lower trapezius: A repeated measures cross-sectional study on asymptomatic individuals

The gold standard exercise for recruitment of the lower trapezius is the Y prone exercise which is performed above 90 degrees of shoulder elevation. However, clinicians often prescribe exercises that avoid high elevation postures during early stages of rehabilitation. Comparatively little data exists on relative muscle recruitment during lower arm elevation exercises. This study examined the EMG activity of four shoulder girdle muscles during four exercises accomplished below 90 degrees of shoulder elevation and compared them to the Y prone while considering sex effects. Variance across exercises of the ratio between upper trapezius and lower trapezius was also explored. 32 healthy participants completed standardized muscle-specific MVCs and two repetitions of each exercise. The side lying external rotation and the wall slide exercises produced the highest peak EMG for the lower trapezius, both 33 and 29% lower than the Y Prone. For the upper trapezius to lower trapezius ratio, the side lying external rotation elicited the lowest value, followed by the Y prone and wall slide (53 and 59% respectively higher). Sex influenced some EMG values, typically interacting with exercise type. Thus, side lying external rotation and the wall slide are recommended for targeting the lower trapezius muscle during early rehabilitation.

Automated summary

This study compared the effects of four exercises with shoulder elevation below 90 degrees on the EMG activity of four shoulder girdle muscles, while considering sex effects. The side lying external rotation and the wall slide exercises produced the highest peak EMG activation for the lower trapezius, both 33% and 29% lower than the Y prone. In terms of the ratio between upper trapezius and lower trapezius, the side lying external rotation had the lowest value, followed by the Y prone and wall slide (53% and 59% respectively higher). Therefore, side lying external rotation and the wall slide are recommended for targeting the lower trapezius muscle during early rehabilitation.