Activation and tremor of the shoulder muscles to the demands of an archery task.

Physiological tremor and strength during the maintenance of shoulder position occur during a precision aiming task, such as archery. It is unclear how positions for precision demands affect physiological tremor and associated muscular activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the tremor amplitude and muscular activities of the shoulder between the various positions for precision demands. Ten males (age 21.9 +/- 2.0 years) participated in the study. Electromyography (EMG) was quantified on eight humeral/scapular muscles. The tremor was measured by the acceleration component of a motion tracking sensor in the 3-7 Hz and 8-12 Hz frequency bands. Participants simulated six preparatory archery shooting positions (3 arm angles x 2 arm draw positions) and performed isometric contractions. The relative root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of the shoulder muscles were significantly greater for the full drawing position compared with the partial position (humeral muscles: P = 0.011; scapular muscles: P = 0.026). In the full drawing position, increased humeral/scapular muscle EMG amplitude was moderately associated with an increased power spectrum of 8-12/3-7 Hz tremor in humerus/scapula motion (R = 0.43-0.57). To minimize fluctuations in high strength muscle performance, 90 degrees of elevation in the full drawing position may be a suitable position for demands in archery. In addition, scapular muscle amplitude is important for stability to reduce humerus tremor during archery performance.

Secondary motions of the shoulder during arm elevation in patients with shoulder tightness.

An analysis of secondary shoulder motions (humeral rotation, humeral head anterior/posterior translation, scapular tipping, and scapular upward/downward rotation) in subjects with anterior/posterior shoulder tightness provides the opportunity to examine the role of tightness as a means of affecting shoulder motions. Subjects with shoulder tightness (anterior, n=12; posterior, n=12) elevated their arms in the scapular plane. Three replicated movements were performed to the maximum motions. Kinematics data were collected by FASTRAK 3D electromagnetic system. To determine if a significant difference of the secondary motions existed between anterior/posterior shoulder tightness, two-factor mixed ANOVA models with the repeated factor of elevation angle (five elevation angles) and the independent factor of group were calculated. The relationships between the self-reported functional scores (Flexilevel Scale of Shoulder Function, FLEX-SF) and abnormal shoulder kinematics were assessed. For humeral head anterior/posterior translation, the subjects with posterior tightness demonstrated anterior humeral head translation (10mm, p=0.019) compared to subjects with anterior tightness. The subjects with anterior tightness demonstrated less posterior tipping (2.2 degrees , p=0.045) compared to subjects with posterior tightness. The humeral anterior translation had moderate relationships with FLEX-SF scores (r=-0.535) in subjects with posterior tightness. The scapular tipping had moderate relationships with FLEX-SF scores (r=0.432) in subjects with anterior tightness. In conclusion, the secondary motions were different between subjects with anterior and posterior shoulder tightness. During arm elevation, less scapular posterior tipping and less posterior humeral head translation in subjects with anterior and posterior shoulder tightness, respectively, are significantly related to self-reported functional disability in these subjects.