Table 1.
The Top Exercises for Rotator Cuff Muscle Activity As Reported by Townsend et al16 and Reinhold et al15 EMG Studies
| Muscle | Townsend et al16 | Reinhold et al15 |
|---|---|---|
| Supraspinatus | 1. military press 2. scaption with shoulder internal rotation* |
1. prone horizontal abduction at 100° with full external rotation 2. prone external rotation at 90° of abduction |
| Infraspinatus | 1. horizontal abduction at 90° with external rotation 2. standing external rotation at 0° of abduction |
1. sidelying external rotation at 0° of abduction 2. sidelying external rotation in the scapular plane (45° abduction, 30° horizontal adduction) |
| Teres Minor | 1. sidelying external rotation at 0° of abduction 2. horizontal abduction at 90° with external rotation |
1. sidelying external rotation at 0° of abduction 2. standing external rotation in the scapular plane (45° abduction, 30° horizontal adduction) |
| Subscapularis | 1. scaption with shoulder internal rotation* 2. military press |
not tested |
*
Note: Rehabilitation professionals must be cautious when prescribing exercises with the shoulder in full internal rotation. Performing scaption with the shoulder in full external rotation is usually a safe and appropriate alternative.