CONTEXT: The Bodyblade Pro is used for shoulder rehabilitation after injury. Resistance is provided by blade Oscillations-faster oscillations or higher speeds correspond to greater resistance. However, research supporting the Bodyblade Pro's use is scarce, particularly in comparison with dumbbell training. OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle activity, using electromyography (EMG), in the back and shoulder regions during shoulder exercises with the Bodyblade Pro vs dumbbells. DESIGN: Randomized crossover study. SETTING: San Diego State University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 11 healthy male subjects age 19-32 y. INTERVENTION: Subjects performed shoulder-flexion and -abduction exercises using a Bodyblade Pro and dumbbells (5, 8, and 10 lb) while EMG recorded activity of the deltoid, pectoralis major, infraspinatus, serratus anterior, and erector spinae. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Average peak muscle activity (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) was separately measured for shoulder abduction and flexion in the range of 85° to 95°. Differences among exercise devices were separately analyzed for the flexed and abducted positions using 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The Bodyblade Pro produced greater muscle activity than all the dumbbell trials. Differences were significant for all muscles measured (all P < .01) except for the erector spinae during shoulder flexion with a 10-lb dumbbell. EMG activity for the Bodyblade Pro exceeded 50% of the MVIC during both shoulder flexion and abduction. For the dumbbell conditions, only the 10-lb trials approached this effect. CONCLUSIONS: Using a Bodyblade during shoulder exercises results in greater shoulder- and back-muscle recruitment than dumbbells. The Bodyblade Pro can activate multiple muscles in a single exercise and thereby minimize the need for multiple dumbbell exercises. The Bodyblade Pro is an effective device for shoulder- and back-muscle activation that warrants further use by clinicians interested in its use for rehabilitation.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: The Bodyblade Pro is used for shoulder rehabilitation after injury. Resistance is provided by blade Oscillations-faster oscillations or higher speeds correspond to greater resistance. However, research supporting the Bodyblade Pro's use is scarce, particularly in comparison with dumbbell training. OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle activity, using electromyography (EMG), in the back and shoulder regions during shoulder exercises with the Bodyblade Pro vs dumbbells. DESIGN: Randomized crossover study. SETTING: San Diego State University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 11 healthy male subjects age 19-32 y. INTERVENTION: Subjects performed shoulder-flexion and -abduction exercises using a Bodyblade Pro and dumbbells (5, 8, and 10 lb) while EMG recorded activity of the deltoid, pectoralis major, infraspinatus, serratus anterior, and erector spinae. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Average peak muscle activity (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) was separately measured for shoulder abduction and flexion in the range of 85° to 95°. Differences among exercise devices were separately analyzed for the flexed and abducted positions using 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The Bodyblade Pro produced greater muscle activity than all the dumbbell trials. Differences were significant for all muscles measured (all P < .01) except for the erector spinae during shoulder flexion with a 10-lb dumbbell. EMG activity for the Bodyblade Pro exceeded 50% of the MVIC during both shoulder flexion and abduction. For the dumbbell conditions, only the 10-lb trials approached this effect. CONCLUSIONS: Using a Bodyblade during shoulder exercises results in greater shoulder- and back-muscle recruitment than dumbbells. The Bodyblade Pro can activate multiple muscles in a single exercise and thereby minimize the need for multiple dumbbell exercises. The Bodyblade Pro is an effective device for shoulder- and back-muscle activation that warrants further use by clinicians interested in its use for rehabilitation.
Authors: Rafael F Escamilla; Kyle Yamashiro; Russell Dunning; Tony Mikla; Matthew Grover; Mike Kenniston; Jesse Loera; Travis Tanasse; James R Andrews Journal: Int J Sports Phys Ther Date: 2016-04