Electromyographic activation of superficial musculature during a suspension inverted row as compared to an inverted row Robert M. Brannan, B.S.; Ronald L. Snarr Jr., B.S., CSCS; Michael R. Esco, Ph.D., CSCS*D Human Performance Laboratory, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, AL Practical Applications Introduction Methods Abstract Purpose HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY Recent trends in fitness have leaned towards providing a greater challenge to traditional resistance exercises in order to improve functionality, balance, core strength and improve sports performance. Suspension training, a new training modality, has emerged as a way to perform traditional bodyweight and resistance exercises on unstable equipment. Although, a majority of the literature on suspension and instability training examines pushing movements (e.g., push-up and squats), very little to no research has been done on pulling movements while using these devices (e.g., inverted row). An inverted row is typically performed using a smith machine or standard barbell placed upon a stable rack. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the middle-trapezius (MT), posterior deltoid (PD), biceps brachii (BB), and latissimus dorsi (LD) while performing a suspension inverted row [SIR] and traditional inverted row [IR]. The maximum values of electrical activity, mean peak EMG, for each muscle group were recorded for each exercise performed. Middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, and latissimus dorsi were found to have had no significant difference during the IR and SIR The biceps brachii, however, did elicit a significantly greater BB activation during the IR compared to the SIR (Table 2). Practitioners should take note that the suspension and traditional inverted row provided similar activation levels when it came to the middle trapezius, posterior deltoid and latissimus dorsi. Although, conventional training on stable surfaces is adequate, suspension training may be useful when attempting to imitate activities of daily living (ADL’s) and sports-specific movements. Therefore, a suspended inverted row can provide a substitution for the traditional inverted row. However, further research is warranted to determine the affects of suspension training on additional exercises (e.g., pull-ups) with a strong focus on primary and secondary movers. References 1.Juker, D; McGill, S; Kropf, P; and Steffen, T. Quantitative intramusculature myoelectric activity of lumbar portions of psoas and the abdominal wall during a wide variety of tasks. Med Sci Sports Exer. 1998, 30: Kibele, A; and Behm, DG. Seven weeks of instability and traditional resistance training effects on strength, balance and functional performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2009, 23(9): Fenwick, CMJ, Brown, SHM, McGill, SM. Comparison of different rowing exercises: trunk muscle activation and lumbar spine motion, load, and stiffness. J Strength Cond Res 23(2): , A comparative electromyographical investigation of muscle utilization patterns using various hand positions during the lat pull-down. J Strength Cond Res 16(4): , Stability, balance and coordination are all important factors when training for specificity or mimicking activities of daily living. Suspension training is a newer form of instability training that can provide a way to perform typical resistance exercises in an unstable environment. Research in stability training has mainly focused on the effects of an unbalanced surface and core musculature activation. Very few studies have focused on the primary and secondary musculature targeted during specific pulling exercises. Therefore, movements such as the inverted row have a need to be examined when an instability device is introduced to this exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to quantify the differences in muscular activation during a suspension inverted row [SIR] and a traditional inverted row [IR] across selected superficial musculature (latissimus dorsi (LD), posterior deltoid (PD), middle trapezius (MT), and biceps brachii (BB)). METHODS: Fifteen men (n = 12) and women (n=3) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were asked to perform four repetitions of both the inverted row (IR) and suspension inverted row (SIR). For this study, the order of the exercises was randomized. Mean peak EMG values were recorded for each muscle group during all exercises performed. RESULTS: The SIR provided the following values: MT = ± , PD = ± , LD = ± , BB = ± IR values were: MT = ± , PD = ± , LD = ± , BB = ± CONCLUSION: This study found no significant differences between MT, LD, and PD activation between the two exercises (p > 0.05). However, IR elicited a significantly greater BB activation compared to SIR (p < 0.05). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Practitioners should take note that the suspension and traditional inverted row provide similar activation levels, except for the BB. Therefore, suspension training can provide a substitution for the traditional inverted row when necessary. However, further research is warranted to determine the affects of suspension training on additional exercises with a strong focus on primary and secondary movers. Fifteen apparently healthy men (n=12, ages ± 4.02) and women (n=3, ages ± 0.96) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects performed four repetitions of SIR and IR each, where the order of the exercises was randomized. Average peak EMG activity was recorded and analyzed for both SIR and IR for the middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and latissimus dorsi. Descriptive statistics for all subjects are in Table 1. Electrode Placement Biopac surface EMG electrodes were used in this investigation along with Acqknowledge software to analyze peak EMG muscle activation. All electrodes were placed on the right side of the body and parallel to the direct line of action for the middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and latissimus dorsi. Posterior deltoid electrodes were placed 2 cm below the lateral border of the spine of the scapula, spaced 2 cm apart and angled toward the deltoid tuberosity. Middle trapezius electrodes were placed 2 cm apart and parallel to the muscle fibers between the thoracic vertebrae and the medial aspect of the spine of the scapula. Electrodes for the biceps brachii were placed vertically 2 cm apart directly over the muscle belly on the anterior aspect of the upper arm. Latissimus Dorsi electrodes were placed approximately 4 cm beneath the inferior tip of the scapula, half the distance between the lateral border of the torso and the spine, spaced 2 cm apart and at an oblique angle (25 o ) following the muscle fibers. The ground electrode was placed over the right anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Statistical Analysis A MP150 BioNomadix Wireless Physiology Monitoring system was used for this investigation in order to capture electromyographic activation levels of the middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and latissimus dorsi. All activity was sampled at a rate of 1.0 kHz using Acqknowledge 4.2 software (BIOPAC System, Inc., Goleta, CA). SPSS/PASW Statistics version 19.0 (Somers, NY) was used to calculate means and standard deviations for each of the muscles examined (i.e., PD and MT). The differences in mean peak EMG activation levels between each muscle and exercises (IR, SIR) were determined through paired sample T-Tests. A priori statistical significance was set to a value of p < Results Table 1. Descriptive Characteristics (n = 15) Conclusions This study suggests that the MT, PD and LD were not significantly different between the two exercises performed. However, IR elicited a significantly greater BB activation compared to SIR (p < 0.05). During certain bodyweight pushing exercises, suspension training can cause an increased need for stability and balance. However, during pulling movements, such as the IR, minimal stabilization may be required. MUSCLEIR (mean ± SD)SIR (mean ± SD) Middle Trapezius3.06 ± ± 1.55 Posterior Deltoid3.41 ± ± 1.61 Biceps Brachii4.48 ± ± 1.28 Latissimus Dorsi3.74 ± ± 2.34 Table 2. Mean peak EMG values (mV) Methods, cont. MEN (mean ± SD)WOMEN (mean ± SD) Height (cm) ± ± 5.68 Weight (kg)82 ± ± 7.57 BMI (kg/m 2 )25.66 ± ± 2.01 Introduction, cont. Therefore, by adding an unstable element to this exercise (i.e., suspension device), it would be hypothesized to increase activation of the primary and stabilization muscles used during the row (e.g., middle trapezius and posterior deltoid).