Upper trapezius activation during upper limb neural tension test-1 in karate players

Abstract

Background: Manual examinations and subsequent manual therapy became the mainstream options for treatment of mechanical musculoskeletal disorders. Neurodynamics deals with the mechanics and pathomechanics of the nervous system as it moves relative to its adjacent tissues. Objectives: We determined upper trapezius activity during upper limb neural tension test-1 (ULTT-1) in asymptomatic National level Karate players of Madhya Pradesh State of India and correlated its activity with sensory responses during neural test. Subjects and Methods: Fifty national-level karate players (26 males) aged 20 to 25 years (mean age 22.0±1.4 SD) with no history of musculoskeletal or neurological injury were studied. Sensory response intensity was recorded on visual analogue scale (VAS). Electromyography (EMG) activity of upper trapezius muscle was recorded from the muscle belly. Results: All subjects showed ‘positive’ sensory responses on VAS with the mean value of 6.5±1.1 and EMG activity in upper trapezius muscle with mean of 93±19 microvolts. They all had “positive” sensory responses during upper limb tension test-1. They were described mainly as stretch, pain, pull and, tightness. Majority of the sensory responses was reported during the stages of wrist and elbow extension and all subjects showed increased EMG activity in upper trapezius muscle during ULTT-1, which correlated directly with the perceived sensory response. Conclusion: Upper trapezius muscle activity is evident during ULTT-1 which is directly correlated with the perceived intensity of sensory responses during the test. Sensory responses to ULTT 1 can be elicited in a large proportion of asymptomatic active young players.