Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the activation of shoulder stabilizer muscles to variations of manual resistance during three-dimensional shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Methods: A total of 13 participants were included in this study....
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the activation of shoulder stabilizer muscles to variations of manual resistance during three-dimensional shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Methods: A total of 13 participants were included in this study. To normalize each muscle's activity, a maximal isometric voluntary contraction was performed by all participants. After receiving 30 minutes of training in three-dimensional shoulder rehabilitation exercises, participants randomly performed PNF arm and scapular patterns according to the intensities of manual resistance. The activities of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior were measured during these patterns. All exercises were performed for five seconds, and the average of three seconds, excluding the first and last seconds, was used for data analysis. Results: Lower trapezius activity was significant among manual resistance intensities. In both the PNF arm and scapular patterns, using 80% manual resistance of maximum resistance showed higher activity of the lower trapezius muscle compared to 20% of the maximum resistance. Conclusion: It is expected that PNF arm and scapular patterns, with varying intensities of manual resistance, can be used for early rehabilitation of patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.