• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

Background: Evidence for effective management of scapular downward rotation syndrome is limited. The present study was performed to compare the scapular muscle activation through 4weeks wall slide exercise and sling slide exercise in subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome. Methods: Twenty-two subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome participated in the study. Surface electromyography data were collected from the upper and lower trapezius, serratus anterior and pectoralis major during shoulder flexion of $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$ in the sagittal plane. The alignment of the scapula was measured using radiographic analysis. Subjects were assessed pre and post a 4 weeks exercise (wall slide, sling slide). The significance of the difference in pre- and post-exercise within each groups was assessed using a paired t-test. The significant difference between wall- and sling-exercise was used a independent t-test. Results: In the wall slide group, the muscle activity of upper trapezius decreased significantly during shoulder flexion at $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$ after 4 weeks, and the muscle activity of serratus anterior increased significantly at all angles. Also, the muscle activity of pectoralis major decreased significantly at $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$. Conclusions: Based on such results, it can be said that wall slide exercise is effective than sling slide exercise for the subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome.