A study of shoulder stabilizer muscle exercise using the contraction of the finger flexor muscle

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of shoulder stabilizer muscle activity using the contraction of the finger flexor muscle. [Subjects] We divided the study subjects into a grasp group (n=17) and a non-grasp group (n=17). [Methods] The shoulder muscle activities of both the grasp group and the non-grasp group were measured by electromyography. [Results] Both the grasp group that used the contraction of the finger flexor muscle and the non-grasp group that did not use the contraction of the finger flexor muscle showed a state where shoulder stabilizer muscle activation increased as the weight borne by them increased. The serratus anterior muscles and rhomboid muscles showed differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] Exercises using finger flexor muscle activation is a more effective method for patients who need shoulder stabilizer muscle strengthening exercises because of shoulder stabilizer muscle weakness.