Upper trapezius muscle activation patterns in neck–shoulder pain patients and healthy controls

2006 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Voerman ◽  
M. M. R. Vollenbroek-Hutten ◽  
H. J. Hermens
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Pain Patients

Differences in trapezius muscle activation patterns in office workers with and without chronic neck-shoulder pain, as quantified through exposure variation analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 962-966
Author(s):  
Denean Kelson ◽  
Divya Srinivasan ◽  
Svend Erik Mathiassen
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Variation Analysis ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Exposure Variation Analysis ◽  
And Control

The purpose of this study was to quantify upper-trapezius muscle activation patterns using exposure variation analysis (EVA) in healthy computer workers and those with chronic neck-shoulder pain. Eight healthy and five chronic pain participants were asked to complete three computer-based tasks (TYPE, CLICK, and FORM) in two pacing conditions (self-paced and control-paced). EVA was used to quantify variation using five amplitude classes and five duration classes. Performance in each task was also quantified. Healthy workers and those with chronic pain did not differ in performance, and they both exhibited similarly low levels of muscle activation amplitude. Pain participants, however, were found to spend less time in lower duration classes across tasks and conditions. These results indicate that individuals with chronic neck-shoulder pain utilize movement strategies involving sustained durations of continuous muscle activation. This may be suggestive of decreased temporal variation in muscle activation patterns in those with chronic pain.

scholarly journals Electromyographic Evaluation of Specific Elastic Band Exercises Targeting Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Gao ◽  
Lars A. Kristensen ◽  
Thomas S. Grøndberg ◽  
Mike Murray ◽  
Gisela Sjøgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Extensor Muscle ◽  
Voluntary Activation ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Activation Level ◽  
Elastic Bands ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle

Background: Specific strength training at a high intensity is effective in reducing work related neck/shoulder pain. However, it remains to be documented as to which exercises most specifically target neck and shoulder muscles at high activation level while using simple equipment as e.g., elastic bands. We hypothezised that selected exercises would specifically target the respective muscles, as follows: (1) shrugs and reverse flyes: the upper trapezius muscle, (2) cervical extension and lateral flexion: the upper neck extensor muscle, and (3) cervical flexion and rotation: the sternocleidomastoideus muscle. Methods: Eleven healthy males (25.9 ± 1.4 years, BMI 24.3 ± 1.4) with no neck/shoulder pain (VAS = 0) performed the six exercises with elastic bands at 12RM (repetition maximum) and 20RM in a randomized order. Electromyography was bilaterally recorded from the three muscles and it was normalized to maximal voluntary activation (%MVE). Exercises that evoke more than 60%MVE were considered as high intensity activation. Results: High muscle activation level was attained during 12RM in the upper trapezius muscle during shrugs (100.3 ± 29.8%MVE) and reverse flyes (91.6 ± 32.8%MVE) and in the upper neck extensor muscle during cervical extension (67.6 ± 29.8%MVE) and shrugs (61.9 ± 16.8%MVE). In the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, the highest activity was recorded during cervical flexion (51.7 ± 16.4%MVE) but it did not exceed 60%MVE. The overall activity was ~10% higher during 12RM when compared to 20RM. Conclusion: The simple exercises shrugs and reverse flyes resulted in high intensity activation of both the upper trapezius and neck extensors, while no exercises activated sternocleidomastoideus at high intensity.

scholarly journals Can a metric combining arm elevation and trapezius muscle activity predict neck/shoulder pain? A prospective cohort study in construction and healthcare

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Lerato Merkus ◽  
Svend Erik Mathiassen ◽  
Lars-Kristian Lunde ◽  
Markus Koch ◽  
Morten Wærsted ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Neck And Shoulder Pain ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Arm Elevation ◽  
Uncertain Time

Abstract Objective To determine whether a composite metric of arm elevation and trapezius activity (i.e. neck/shoulder load) is more strongly associated with the 2-year course of neck and shoulder pain intensity (NSPi) among construction and healthcare workers than each exposure separately. Methods Dominant arm elevation and upper trapezius muscle activity were estimated in construction and healthcare employees (n = 118) at baseline, using accelerometry and normalized surface electromyography (%MVE), respectively. At baseline and every 6 months for 2 years, workers reported NSPi (score 0–3). Compositions of working time were determined for arm elevation (< 30°; 30–60°;  > 60°), trapezius activity (< 0.5%; 0.5–7.0%; > 7.0%MVE), and a composite metric “neck/shoulder load” (restitution, low, medium, and high load). Associations between each of these three compositions and the 2-year course of NSPi were determined using linear mixed models. Results Associations between exposure compositions and the course of NSPi were all weak and in general uncertain. Time spent in 0.5–7.0%MVE showed the largest and most certain association with changes in NSPi during follow-up (β = − 0.13; p = 0.037; corresponding to a −0.01 change in NPSi every 6 months). Among pain-free workers at baseline, medium (β = − 0.23; p = 0.039) and high (β = 0.15; p = 0.031) neck/shoulder load contributed the most to explaining changes in NSPi. Conclusion The composite metric of neck/shoulder load did not show a stronger association with the course of NSPi than arm elevation or trapezius activity alone in the entire population, while some indications of a stronger association were found among those who were pain-free at baseline.

Cross-sectional Study of Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity and Self-Reported Neck/Shoulder Pain

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (15) ◽  
pp. 962-966
Author(s):  
Nathan B. Fethke ◽  
Fred Gerr ◽  
Daniel C. Anton ◽  
Joseph E. Cavanaugh ◽  
Thomas M. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Root Mean Square Amplitude ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Summary Measures

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the observed associations between upper trapezius muscle activity, as estimated with several summary measures obtained from surface electromyography (EMG), and self-reported neck/shoulder pain among a sample of 231 manufacturing workers. EMG methods used in this study included mean root-mean-square amplitude, the amplitude probability distribution function (APDF), EMG gaps analysis, and clustered exposure variation analysis. The observed seven-day prevalence of neck/shoulder pain was 13.9%. Of the EMG summary measures, only the 90 th percentile of the APDF was significantly associated with symptoms, with crude and adjusted odds ratios of 2.57 (1.02–6.49) and 2.78 (1.07–7.21) per natural log unit, respectively. This study was largely inconclusive due to the similarity in the distributions of the summary measures between symptomatic and non-symptomatic participants, and explicit measures of posture and repetition may produce stronger associations with symptoms.

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