Scapula kinematics of pull-up techniques: avoiding impingement risk with training changes
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Prinold, JA
Bull, AM
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Overhead athletic activities and scapula dyskinesia are linked with shoulder pathology; pull-ups are a common training method for some overhead sports. Different pull-up techniques exist: anecdotally some are easier to perform, and others linked to greater incidences of pathology. This study aims to quantify scapular kinematics and external forces for three pull-up techniques, thus discussing potential injury implications. DESIGN: An observational study was performed with eleven participants (age=26.8±2.4 years) who regularly perform pull-ups. METHODS: The upward motions of three pull-up techniques were analysed: palms facing anterior, palms facing posterior and wide-grip. A skin-fixed scapula tracking technique with attached retro-reflective markers was used. RESULTS: High intra-participant repeatability was observed: mean coefficients of multiple correlations of 0.87-1.00 in humerothoracic rotations and 0.77-0.90 for scapulothoracic rotations. Standard deviations of hand force was low: <5% body weight. Significantly different patterns of humerothoracic, scapulothoracic and glenohumeral kinematics were observed between the pull-up techniques. The reverse technique has extreme glenohumeral internal-external rotation and large deviation from the scapula plane. The wide technique has a reduced range of pro/retraction in the same HT plane of elevation and 90° of arm abduction with 45° external rotation was observed. All these factors suggest increased sub-acromial impingement risk. CONCLUSIONS: The scapula tracking technique showed high repeatability. High arm elevation during pull-ups reduces sub-acromial space and increases pressure, increasing the risk of impingement injury. Wide and reverse pull-ups demonstrate kinematics patterns linked with increased impingement risk. Weight-assisted front pull-ups require further investigation and could be recommended for weaker participants.
Date Issued
2015-09-03
Date Acceptance
2015-08-25
Citation
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2015, 19 (8), pp.629-635
ISSN
1440-2440
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
629
End Page
635
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Volume
19
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the
CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26383875
PII: S1440-2440(15)00174-7
Subjects
Biomechanics
Kipping
Repeatability
Shoulder
Skin-fixed scapula tracking
Supraspinatus
Publication Status
Published