Background: Although the scapular posterior tilt movement could facilitate the lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity, no study identified the effects of the scapular posterior tilt movement on the selective activation of the LT muscle during prone shoulder extension.
Objectives: To examine the influences of additional scapular posterior tilt on electromyography (EMG) of the upper trapezius (UT) and the LT muscles during prone shoulder extension.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: There were 15 asymptomatic male participants in this study who performed prone shoulder extension with and without scapular posterior tilt movements. For the scapular posterior tilt movements, participants performed visual biofeedback training for scapular movement using motion sensor. During the exercises, the EMG activity of the UT and LT was recorded using surface EMG system.
Results: The EMG activity of the LT significantly increased during prone shoulder extension with scapular posterior tilt compared to that of general prone shoulder extension, whereas that of the UT was not significantly different between the two exercises. Moreover, scapular posterior tilt application significantly decreased UT/LT muscle activity ratio.
Conclusion: Scapular posterior tilt movement may be emphasized during exercise when facilitating LT muscle activation.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Experimental Procedures
    Outcome Measures
    Interventions
    Prone Shoulder Extension Exercises
    Data and Statistical Analysis
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Sooyong Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital)
• Minhyeok Kang(Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) Correspondence