The immediate effect of scapular taping on surface electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms

Smith, M.J.; Sparkes, V.

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.002

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Volume 7, Issue 4 , Page 171, November 2006

The immediate effect of scapular taping on surface electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms

Research Centre for Clinical Kinesiology, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University, UK

Introduction

Altered scapular rotator muscle activity has been implicated in shoulder pain and dysfunction of a subacromial impingement (SI) origin, including in sporting populations such as swimmers. The application of scapular taping in an attempt to alter scapular rotator muscle activity is a commonly employed physiotherapeutic intervention in the injury management and rehabilitation of athletes.

Previous studies have considered the immediate changes in the surface electomyographic activity of the scapular rotators in response to scapular taping, but only in a-symptomatic samples. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of scapular taping on the scapular rotators in a symptomatic sample.

Methods

Twenty swimmers who demonstrated SI symptoms on clinical testing were recruited. The objective was to use surface electromyography (EMG) to measure any immediate change in the muscle activity of the scapular rotators (upper fibres of trapezius (UFT), lower fibres of trapezius (LFT) and serratus anterior (SA)) following the application of a commonly used scapular taping technique (McConnell, 1999) during repeated humeral elevation in the scapular plane. Related t-tests were conducted to look for statistically significant changes as a consequence of the taping.

Results

There was a highly statistically significant () reduction in the EMG activity of the UFT as a consequence of the taping. However there was no statistically significant change in the EMG activity of the LFT () or SA ().

Discussion

The application of scapular taping in a symptomatic sample caused a statistically significant reduction in UFT activity, but no change in LFT or SA activity. This study provides evidence that the McConnell (1999) scapular taping technique used in this study is an appropriate technique to reduce UFT activity, in the immediate term, in symptomatic SI sporting populations.