Theraband Applications for Improved Upper Extremity Wall-Slide Exercises

Abstract

Context: The wall-slide exercise is commonly used in clinic and research settings. Theraband positioning variations for hip exercises have been investigated and used, but Theraband positioning variations for upper extremity wall-slide exercises, although not commonly used, have not been examined.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different Theraband positions (elbow and wrist) on the activation of the scapular and shoulder muscles in wall-slide exercises and compare these variations with each other and with regular wall-slide exercises for the upper limbs.

Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Patients or other participants: A total of 20 participants (age = 23.8 ± 3 years, height = 176.5 ± 8.14 cm, mass = 75.3 ± 12.03 kg, body mass index = 24.23 ± 4.03) with healthy shoulders.

Intervention(s): Participants performed wall-slide exercises (regular and 2 variations: Theraband at the elbow and Theraband at the wrist) in randomized order.

Main outcome measure(s): Surface electromyographic activity of the trapezius (upper trapezius [UT], middle trapezius [MT], and lower trapezius [LT]), infraspinatus, middle deltoid (MD), and serratus anterior (SA) muscles.

Results: Regular wall-slide exercises elicited low activity in the MD and moderate activity in the SA muscles (32% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC] in the SA), whereas the Theraband-at-elbow and Theraband-at-wrist variations elicited low activity in the MT, LT, infraspinatus, and MD muscles and moderate activity in the SA muscle (46% and 34% of MVIC in the SA, respectively). The UT activation was absent to minimal (classified as 0% to 15% of MVIC) in all wall-slide exercise variations. The Theraband-at-wrist variation produced lower UT:MT, UT:LT, and UT:SA levels compared with the regular wall-slide exercise and Theraband-at-elbow variation.

Conclusions: In shoulder rehabilitation, clinicians desiring to activate the scapular stabilization muscles should consider using the Theraband-at-wrist variation. Those seeking more shoulder-abduction activation and less scapular stabilization should consider using the Theraband-at-elbow variation of the upper extremity wall-slide exercise.

Keywords: electromyography; exercise therapy; rehabilitation; shoulder; superficial back muscles.

Figure 1

Study flowchart.

Figure 2

A and B, Maximal voluntary isometric contraction positions for the upper trapezius, middle deltoid, and serratus anterior from 2 perspectives showing electrode placement. Positions for the, C, middle trapezius, D, lower trapezius, and E, infraspinatus.

Figure 3

Three variations of the wall-slide exercise: A, regular, B, Theraband (Performance Health) at the elbow, and C, Theraband at the wrist.

Figure 4

Muscle-activation (mean ± SD) comparison of different phases by muscle for the 3 variations of the wall-slide exercise: A, regular, B, Theraband (Performance Health) at the elbow, and C, Theraband at the wrist. ^a Indicates difference.