A Comparison of Levels of Muscle Activity Based on Stabilization Exercise Methods Applied to Patients with Rotator Cuff Tendon Tears

For normal shoulder joint movements, sternoclavicular articulation, the acromioclavicular joint, the glenohumeral joints, and the scapulothoracic joints should be coordinated. For remedial program after arthroscopic surgery for rotator damage, muscle exercise for the rotator should be regarded as an important factor, and clinical approaches should be adopted to promote muscle control and balance. This study was conducted on 30 patients in their 30s and 40s who underwent arthroscopic surgery for supraspinous muscle tendon rupture 4–6 weeks prior; such rupture represents one of the most common types of rotator cuff tear. Four types of remedial treatments—rowing in prone position, Superman ‘T’, prone supported on elbow and pushup with hands—were used to measure the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus muscle. Considering all these factors, it was determined that each exercise method led to different muscle activities. No ideal exercise method was found to reduce the muscle activity of upper trapezius muscle and increase that of the lower trapezius and serratus muscle. Therefore, it is considered that each stabilization exercise should be applied in a selective manner based on the patient’s condition and a doctor’s diagnosis.