The scapula's role for optimizing recruitment of the pectoralis major during the supine dumbbell chest press

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the electrical activity in the pectoralis major during a supine dumbbell chest press while maintaining a fixed and non-fixed scapula. Fifteen neophyte male subjects between the ages of 18--45 participated in the investigation. Each subject performed five repetitions with 85% of their estimated 1RM in both a fixed (FI) and non-fixed (FL) scapulae position. Measurement of EMG activity was recorded from the shoulder girdle and localized musculature via pre-amplified bipolar skin surface electrodes for the duration of both testing bouts. Data analysis employed a repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). No significant difference in measured electrical activity was noted for the pectoralis major between the two tested positions of the scapulae. Therefore, it appeared scapular positioning did not influence measured electrical activity in the pectoralis major.