EMG Biofeedback Improves Shoulder Muscle Balance
Effect of Real-Time EMG Biofeedback on Selective Activation of the Infraspinatus and Posterior Deltoid During Theraband Shoulder External Rotation Exercise in Individuals with Round Shoulder Posture
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Researchers tested whether seeing real-time muscle activity on a screen helps people better activate their infraspinatus muscle (the target muscle) while keeping the posterior deltoid muscle (an unwanted helper muscle) quiet during shoulder exercises.
Surprising Findings
Visual feedback helped people activate ONE muscle MORE while simultaneously activating another muscle LESS
Most people assume you can either increase or decrease muscle activity, but this study shows you can do both at the same time using just visual cues.
Practical Takeaways
If you have shoulder issues, consider working with a physical therapist who has access to EMG biofeedback to ensure you're activating the right muscles
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Researchers tested whether seeing real-time muscle activity on a screen helps people better activate their infraspinatus muscle (the target muscle) while keeping the posterior deltoid muscle (an unwanted helper muscle) quiet during shoulder exercises.
Surprising Findings
Visual feedback helped people activate ONE muscle MORE while simultaneously activating another muscle LESS
Most people assume you can either increase or decrease muscle activity, but this study shows you can do both at the same time using just visual cues.
Practical Takeaways
If you have shoulder issues, consider working with a physical therapist who has access to EMG biofeedback to ensure you're activating the right muscles
Publication
Journal
Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology
Year
2026
Authors
Donghyun Yi, One-bin Lim, Min-Hyeok Kang, Hyeok Kim
Related Content
Claims (5)
Using a machine that shows muscle activity in real-time while doing shoulder exercises helps people with rounded shoulders activate their back shoulder muscle more than the back part of their shoulder muscle, which is a good thing for shoulder health.
When adults with rounded shoulders use a device that shows them their muscle activity in real-time while doing a shoulder rotation exercise, it helps them reduce overactive muscles in the back of the shoulder that cause problems.
When someone has rounded shoulders, the back part of their shoulder muscle might work too hard when rotating the shoulder outward. This could throw off the normal muscle balance around the shoulder joint and lead to shoulder problems.
When people with rounded shoulders do a shoulder rotation exercise while getting real-time feedback from muscle activity sensors, their infraspinatus muscle works harder compared to doing the exercise without feedback.
Using a screen that shows muscle activity in real-time while doing a shoulder rotation exercise might help people with rounded shoulders move better and recover faster from injuries.