EMG Analysis of Dynamic Warm-up Exercises for Overhead Sports

Abstract

Objectives: In overhead throwing sports, traditional pre-throwing programs have focused primarily on the upper extremity. However, training the total body and utilizing both the lower and upper extremity in dynamic overhead movements is becoming more popular and advised. Thus, it was the purpose of this study to examine muscles about the lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC) and scapula during selected exercises that could possibly be utilized in a pre-throwing conditioning program. Design: A controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-one healthy, active individuals (171.1 ± 13.0 cm; 75.5 ± 14.8 kg; 25.3 ± 5.5 years), regardless of sex, volunteered. Surface EMG was utilized to measure muscle activation of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, bilateral gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi and lower trapezius while performing four total body exercises (lungeW, kettlebell swing, kettlebell deadlift, gluteal/hamstring raise). Results: A nonparametric Friedman Test revealed significantly different muscle activations as a factor of exercise for the biceps femoris (χ2 (3) = 21.18, p < .001), gluteus maximus (χ2 (3) = 39.17, p < .001), right gluteus medius (χ2 (3) = 21.21, p < .001), left gluteus medius (χ2 (3) = 11.02, p = .012), erector spinae (χ2 (3) = 28.47, p < .001), and lower trapezius (χ2 (3) = 29.84, p