Shoulder kinematics during the wall push-up plus exercise
Several studies exist that examine muscle activation of large muscles in the upper extremity during bench press exercises. Bench press has been shown to be more
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Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation from work performed at the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Minneapolis, MN
Background and hypothesis:The push-up plus exercise is a common therapeutic exercise for improving
shoulder function and treating shoulder pathology. To date, the kinematics of the push-up plus exercise
have not been studied. Our hypothesis was that the wall push-up plus exercise would demonstrate increased
scapular internal rotation and increased humeral anterior translation during the plus phase of the exercise,
thereby potentially impacting the subacromial space.
Methods:Bone pins were inserted in the humerus and scapula in 12 healthy volunteers with no history of
shoulderpathology.Invivomotionduringthewallpush-upplusexercisewastrackedusinganelectromagnetic
tracking system.
Results:During the wall push-up plus exercise, from a starting position to the push-up plus position, there
was a significant increase in scapular downward rotation (P
