The Effect of Modified Push-up Exercise Using Electromyography Biofeedback on Selection of Scapular Stabilizing Muscles

Background: The serratus anterior (SA) muscle is an important scapular stabilizer and has a profound role in retaining the scapulohumeral rhythm. Therefore, modified push-up plus (MPUP) has been advised to strengthen this muscle as a closed chain workout. However, few previous studies have reported the possibility of a reparative motion from pectoralis major (PM) that could replace and amend SA's function during push-up plus. Objectives: The current study examined MPUP's effect using biofeedback EMG on some of the selected scapular stabilizers. Methods: Sixteen healthy young subjects voluntarily participated in this study. Each subject performed push-ups, from the quadruped position, under two conditions (i.e., with or without visual and auditory biofeedback). Surface EMG measured pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and upper trapezius activity. A paired t-test was used to determine any statistically significant difference between the two conditions. Additionally, the effect size was calculated to quantify the magnitude of EMG biofeedback in each muscle. Results: MPUP training using biofeedback significantly increased SA muscle activity and decreased PM muscle activity, but there was no significant change in UT activity. Conclusions: Excessive PM activity was repressed because of biofeedback, and the workout was done with the enhancement of SA muscular activity. Thus, including biofeedback while doing MPUPs helps limit PM's supplementary action and enhance SA muscle activity.