Consequences of trapezius relaxation on the distribution of shoulder muscle forces: an electromyographic study

Abstract

This study was focused on the ability to reduce voluntarily the muscle activity in the descending part of the trapezius muscle without changing the arm position or hand load, and its consequences on the distribution of shoulder muscle forces. Visual feedback techniques were used. Six different arm positions were investigated in 11 subjects. Electromyography was used for monitoring the muscle involvement. The selection of relevant muscles was performed by a model simulation of the shoulder using a newly developed biomechanical model of the human shoulder. The ability to reduce the muscle activity of the descending part of the trapezius was confirmed and the reduction ranged from 60 to 76% depending on the arm position. Among the muscles studied the rhomboid major and minor and the transverse part of the trapezius were affected the most, increasing their activity on the average to 232, 175 and 201% respectively, compared to the initial activity. The anterior part of the deltoid and the medial part of the serratus anterior also intensified their activity. The influence on the levator scapulae was, contrary to simulation results and to empirical knowledge, a decrease of the muscle activity. It is suggested that attention is given to the rhomboids and the transverse part of the trapezius when muscle activity is reduced in the descending part of the trapezius, for instance in biofeedback-based therapy. In conclusion, the study showed that reducing the trapezius activity caused a redistribution of muscle forces in the shoulder.