Recognizing the Importance of

Lower Trapezius Strength and

Function
Jason Shipley, PT, DPT, OCS
Towson Sports Medicine
May 6, 2016
 Disclosures

• I have no actual or potential conflicts of

interest to disclose with regard to the contents
of this presentation
 Goals
• Brief anatomy review

• Scapulothoracic function with focus on the

role of the lower trapezius

• Dysfunction of the lower trapezius

• Treatment considerations
 Anatomy - Trapezius
• Origin
– Medial one third of nuchal line
– External occipital protuberance
– Ligamentum nuchae
– Spinous processes of C7-T12
– Supraspinous ligament

• Insertion
– Lateral one third of the clavicle
– Medial aspect of the acromion
– Scapular spine
– Tubercle just lateral to medial
border of scapular spine

• Innervation
– Spinal accessory nerve, C3, C4 Thieme Atlas of Anatomy

Hobart et al, 2008

Anatomy

Thieme Atlas of Anatomy

Anatomy – Scapulothoracic “Joint”
• Pseudoarticulation

• Indirect connection to
axial skeleton via
clavicular articulations

• Resting position with

respect to thorax
– Slight upward rotation
– ~30-45 degrees internal
rotation
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy
– ~5-20 degrees anterior
tilting

Dutton, 2004
 Scapulothoracic Motion
• Scapulothoracic motion
– Frontal plane
• Upward and downward
rotation (U/DROT)
– Sagittal plane
• Anterior and posterior
tilting
– Transverse plane
• Internal and external
rotation (I/EROT)

• All motions multiplanar

given orientation of scapula
on thorax
– Protraction/Retraction

Ludewig and Reynolds, 2009

 Scapulothoracic Motion
• Most consistent scapular
kinematic findings with
elevation
– UROT throughout elevation

• Variability in the literature

– Tilting
– I/EROT

• Generally accepted
– Posterior tilting
– EROT

Laudner et al, 2006 Ludewig and Reynolds, 2009

Ebaugh and Spinelli, 2010
Scapulothoracic Motion

• Scaption from
supported sitting
– Raising and lowering
– Kinematics and EMG

Ebaugh and Spinelli, 2010

 Scapula
• Functions of the scapula • Most commonly
in the overhead athlete discussed with regard to
throwing
– Stable base for – Reaching
glenohumeral joint (GHJ) – Lifting
– Retract/Protract through – Weight-bearing
the motion – Swinging
– Rotate the acromion to
allow clearance
– Base for muscle
• In summary – provide
attachment dynamically stable
– Transfer kinetic energy platform for upper
from the trunk to the extremity function
upper extremity

Kibler, 1998
 Trapezius - Function
• Upper fibers (UT) • Not so straightforward
– UROT – Complex interaction
– Elevation between different fibers,
other musculature
• Middle fibers (MT)
– Different roles
– Adduction (Retraction) depending upon position
• Lower fibers (LT) – Mobility and stability
– UROT function
– Depression
 Function – Force Couple for Upward
Rotation
• Coordinated
contraction
– Synergistic UROT
– Antagonistic
elevation/depression
– Results in dynamically
fixed axis for UROT

• Do not forget
– MT
– Posterior rotator cuff
– Pectoralis minor…
Borsa et al, 2008.
Function - Throwing

Escamilla and Andrews, 2009

DiGiovine et al, 1992
 Function - Throwing
• Stride phase
– Scapular stabilization
– Upward rotation for GHJ position for abduction
• Cocking phase
– Scapular stabilization
– Retraction for GHJ position for horizontal abduction and EROT
• Acceleration
– Scapular stabilization
• Base for rapidly rotating humeral head
• Deceleration
– Eccentrically control scapular elevation, rotation, protraction

Escamilla and Andrews, 2009

Function – Golf Swing

Escamilla and Andrews, 2009

Kao et al, 1995
 Function – Golf Swing
• Take-Away
– Trail arm upward rotation and elevation for GHJ
positioning
• Forward Swing
– Lead arm retraction and stabilization
• Acceleration, deceleration, follow-through
– Lead arm stabilization (relatively low activity)

Escamilla and Andrews, 2009

 Dysfunction
• Can go wrong many • Consequences
ways – Force couple disruption
– Weakness – Altered length/tension
– Postural deviation relationships
– Pain inhibition – Inability to fulfill
– Muscular imbalance scapular roles
– Combination of any of
the above
 Dysfunctional Motion - Dyskinesis
• Impingement/Rotator • Multidirectional GHJ
Cuff Pathology instability
– 9 studies evaluating UROT – 4 studies evaluating
• 4 decreased UROT
• 1 increased • 4/4 decreased
• 4 no difference
• Shoulder stiffness (GHJ
– 7 studies evaluating elevation)
posterior tilting
– 3 studies evaluating
• 4 decreased
UROT
• 2 increased
• 3/3 increased
• 1 no difference

Ludewig and Reynolds, 2009

 Dysfunctional Muscle Activity
• Cools et al 2004
– 19 overhead athletes with impingement side:side
comparison
– Peak force and EMG activity during isokinetic
protraction/retraction

• Significant findings
– Lower peak protraction force at high velocity
– Lower protraction/retraction force ratio at low velocity
– Lower LT EMG activity during retraction at high velocity
 Dysfunctional Muscle Activity
• Cools et al 2007
– 39 overhead athletes with impingement and 30
healthy controls
– EMG activity and intramuscular trapezius ratios during
isokinetic abduction, isokinetic EROT

• Significant findings
– Higher UT EMG activity both motions
– Lower LT EMG activity abduction
– Lower MT EMG activity EROT
– Altered UT/MT, UT/LT ratios
 Dysfunctional Muscle Activity
• Huang et al, 2015
– 82 subjects with shoulder pain
– Classified dyskinesis
observationally into three
categories
– EMG activity and kinematics
during scaption

• Significant results
– Lower LT activity in those with
inferior angle and medial
border prominence during
lowering
– Higher UT activity in those with
inferior angle and medial
border prominence throughout

Burkhart et al, 2003

 Dysfunction
• Good evidence for changes with pathology
– Scapular dyskinesis
– Altered muscular activity
• Changes in overall activity
• Changes in inter and intramuscular firing ratios

• Questions remain
– Factors in etiology of pathology?
– Compensatory mechanisms secondary to pathology?
– Representative of pain inhibition?
– What to do about it?
 Treatment - Lower Trapezius
• Increasing % MVIC
– Low row
– Robbery
– D1 flexion
– Unilateral row
– Scaption <80
– Scaption > 120
– Prone horizontal abduction with EROT (T)
– Prone EROT at 90 abduction
– Prone flexion at 135 abduction (Y)
Uhl, 2009
Treatment – Lower Trapezius

Kennedy et al, 2009

Treatment – Lower Trapezius
• Arlotta et al, 2011
– 18 healthy subjects
– EMG during 5 isometric
exercises
– Assessed amplitude and
intramuscular ratio

• Significant findings
– Modified prone cobra and
prone row most favorable
when considering
amplitude and isolation

Arlotta et al, 2011

Treatment – Scapular Muscle Balance
• Clinically often identify
imbalance with UT
activity greater than
middle and lower fibers

• Cools et al, 2007

– High ratio of LT and MT
activity relative to UT
• Prone extension
• Sidelying elevation
• Sidelying EROT
• Prone horizontal abduction
with EROT

De Mey et al, 2009

 Treatment – Progression
• Transition to functional
motions that are specific
to the athletic activity
– Incorporate “Kinetic Chain”
components
• Regional interdependence
• Proximal influences
• Scapular role in energy
transfer

• LT is not just a stabilizer

– Strength
– Power

Kennedy et al, 2009

 Treatment - Progression
• Functional motions
– Diagonals
– Rotation
– Chop
– Simulated
throwing/serving

• Trunk rotation does

impact firing patterns
– Facilitation of muscle
activity
– Specificity of training

Nagai et al, 2013

 In Closing
• Lower trapezius function vital in supporting the
role of the scapula

• Body of evidence demonstrating altered scapular

kinematics and altered activity of the scapular
musculature with pathology

• Wealth of research to assist in the selection of

strengthening tasks to target scapular
musculature
Thank You!
 References
• Arlotta M, LoVasco G, McLean L. Selective recruitment of the lower fibers of the trapezius
muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2011;11:403-410.

• Borsa PA, Laudner KG, Sauers EL. Mobility and stability adaptations in the shoulder of the
overhead athlete: A theoretical and evidence-based perspective. Sports Med. 2008;38:17-36.

• Cools AM, Declercq GA, Cambier DC, Mahieu NN, Witvrouw EE. Trapezius activity and
intramuscular balance during isokinetic exercise in overhead athletes with impingement
symptoms. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2007;17:25-33.

• Cools AM, Witvrouw EE, Declercq GA, Vanderstraeten GG, Cambier DC. Evaluation of
isokinetic force production and associated muscle activity in the scapular rotators during a
protraction-retraction movement in overhead athletes with impingement symptoms. Br J
Sports Med. 2004;38:64-68.

• De Mey K, Cagnie B, Van De Velde A, Danneels L, Cools AM. Trapezius muscle timing during
selected shoulder rehabilitation exercises. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(10)743-752.
 References
• DiGiovine NM, Jobe FW, Pink M. EMG of upper extremity in pitching. J Shoulder Elbow Surg.
1992;1:15-25.

• Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Shoulder muscle recruitment patterns and related biomechanics
during upper extremity sports. Sports Med. 2009;39(7):569-590.

• Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Ross LM. Thieme Atlas of Anatomy. New York, NY: Thieme
Medical Publishers, 2008.

• Hobart DJ, Anderson DA, Conroy VM. A Dissector of Human Anatomy Emphasizing the
Musculoskeletal System. University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Physical
Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, 2008.

• Huang TS, Ou HS, Huang CY, Lin JJ. Specific kinematics and associated muscle activation in
individuals with scapular dyskinesis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015;24:1227-1234.
 References
• Kao JT, Pink M, Jobe FW. Electromyographic analysis of the scapular muscles during a golf
swing. Am J Sports Med. 1995;23(1):19-23.

• Kennedy DJ, Viso DJ, Press J. Current concepts for shoulder training in the overhead athlete.
Curr Sports Med Rep. 2009;8(3):154-160.

• Kibler, WB. Current concepts the role of the scapula in athletic shoulder function. Am J Sports
Med. 1998;26:325-337.

• Kibler WB, Kuhn JE, Wilk K, Sciascia A, Moore S, Laudner K, Ellenbecker T, Thigpen C, Uhl T.
The disabled throwing shoulder: Spectrum of pathology – 10 year update. Arthroscopy.
2013;29:141-161.

• Lintner D, Noonan TJ, Kibler WB. Injury patterns and biomechanics of the athlete’s shoulder.
Clin Sports Med. 2008;27:527-551.
 References
• Ludewig PM, Reynolds JF. The association of scapular kinematics and glenohumeral joint
pathologies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(2):90-104.

• Nagai K, Tateuchi H, Takashima S, Miyasaka J, Hasegawa S, Agai R, Tsuboyama T, Ichihashi N.

Effects of trunk rotation on scapular kinematics and muscle activity during humeral elevation.
J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010;20:199-205.

• Uhl T. Scientific basis and implementation of exercises for scapular rehabilitation. Continuing
education course – Baseball team medicine conference: Injury prevention and treatment
techniques. 2009.
Phases of Pitching

Fleisig et al, 2006

Phases of the Golf Swing