Electromyographic Evaluation of Specific Elastic Band Exercises Targeting Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activation

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This electromyographic evaluation of elastic band exercises documents that the type and intensity of exercise played a role in the activity in three muscle groups of the neck and shoulder. However, importantly, shrugs and reverse flyes are simple to perform and also highly effective training exercises as they induced high muscle activity of both shoulder and neck muscles at 12RM. The practical implications of these findings are that these simple exercises can be preferred for training programs targeting neck and shoulder muscle either for increased general strength or as prevention for work related pain and disorders.

Abstract

Background: Specific strength training at a high intensity is effective in reducing work related neck/shoulder pain. However, it remains to be documented as to which exercises most specifically target neck and shoulder muscles at high activation level while using simple equipment as e.g., elastic bands. We hypothezised that selected exercises would specifically target the respective muscles, as follows: (1) shrugs and reverse flyes: the upper trapezius muscle, (2) cervical extension and lateral flexion: the upper neck extensor muscle, and (3) cervical flexion and rotation: the sternocleidomastoideus muscle. Methods: Eleven healthy males (25.9 ± 1.4 years, BMI 24.3 ± 1.4) with no neck/shoulder pain (VAS = 0) performed the six exercises with elastic bands at 12RM (repetition maximum) and 20RM in a randomized order. Electromyography was bilaterally recorded from the three muscles and it was normalized to maximal voluntary activation (%MVE). Exercises that evoke more than 60%MVE were considered as high intensity activation. Results: High muscle activation level was attained during 12RM in the upper trapezius muscle during shrugs (100.3 ± 29.8%MVE) and reverse flyes (91.6 ± 32.8%MVE) and in the upper neck extensor muscle during cervical extension (67.6 ± 29.8%MVE) and shrugs (61.9 ± 16.8%MVE). In the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, the highest activity was recorded during cervical flexion (51.7 ± 16.4%MVE) but it did not exceed 60%MVE. The overall activity was ~10% higher during 12RM when compared to 20RM. Conclusion: The simple exercises shrugs and reverse flyes resulted in high intensity activation of both the upper trapezius and neck extensors, while no exercises activated sternocleidomastoideus at high intensity.

1. Introduction

Neck and shoulder pain are frequent in the general population and within several occupational groups that are characterized by monotonous work tasks that require the stability of the head and neck in constrained postures [1,2,3,4,5,6]. In often male dominated jobs, helmets add to the weight of the head increasing the demands on the neck muscles and a high prevalence of neck pain is reported among e.g., construction workers, helicopter, and fighter pilots [7,8,9]. Physical exercise—in particular specific high intensity strength training at the job—has been shown to effectively reduce musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulders [10,11,12,13].

In clinical practice, at work sites, and in home-based rehabilitation the use of conventional resistance training equipment, such as mascines or free weight, may not be a possibility, as it requires high financial cost and advanced facilities. Thus, it is important to identify more feasible alternatives that are easy to perform at the workplace and still effectively target muscles in the neck and shoulder regions. One alternative is the use of elastic resistance bands that has recently gained interest, because they are simple to handle, low in cost, and easy to transport. However, with elastic bands, it might specifically for the neck extensor muscles be difficult to add enough external load as resistance to achieve the requested high activity level. To attain this, a special headband has been invented for more specific, but also more complex, elastic band neck exercises. These complex exercises have been applied in training interventions of helicopter pilots [8]. However, the attendance rate was low, which was possibly due to the more complex head band exercises; and, in that study, it was not investigated whether the more complex exercises actually resulted in a higher activation for the specific muscles when compared to the more simple neck exercises, like shrugs and reverse flyes [8,14]. The aim of the present study was to assess whether simple exercises as compared to the more complex exercises may suffice for sufficient activation of the neck and shoulder muscles.

Regarding the level of sufficient exercise intensity in strength training programs, this is often defined as the percentage of maximal voluntary force exerted [15]. In practice, one repetition maximum (RM) weight is often used as reference for the maximal weight that can be lifted in an exercise for a given number of repetitions. Activation levels of >60% of maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC) are generally recommended to attain a physiological effect of resistance training [15]. A higher force per contraction can be performed the lower the number of repetitions per set, e.g., at 1RM the performed force is close to 100% MVC, decreasing to around 60% MVC when performing 12RM—depending highly on training status. In well trained persons 60% MVC might be repeated more times, e.g., corresponding to 20RM.

To access the activation level, electromyography (EMG) is commonly used to measure the activity of the specific muscles that are involved in an exercise [16,17]; the bilateral upper trapezius muscle (mUTR), upper neck extensor muscles (mUNE), and sternocleidomastoideus muscle (mSCM) were the muscle groups included here. In the prevention and treatment of neck and shoulder pain such EMG measurements can ensure that a given mode and intensity of training will activate the target muscles to the sufficient level [18]. In addition, EMG measures allow for exploratory analysis, such as the development of muscle fatigue during multiple repetitions that might be an indicator of the long-term effect on hypertrophy, as well as the reduced perception of pain. The myoelectrical manifestations used as an indication of muscle fatigue is an increase in the amplitude and a shift in the power spectrum towards lower frequencies [19,20,21]. Previous studies with advanced exercises have presented important knowledge for selecting the most adequate exercises to target specific health effects [16,17]. However, studies using simple exercises have similarly shown an effect on both pain relieve and increase in strength [2,22]. The present study will expand on this by using simple (shrugs, SH, and reverse flyes, RF), as well as more advanced (cervical extension, CE and cervical flexion, CF), and quite difficult (cervical lateral flexion, CL and cervical rotation, CR) neck/shoulder exercises and compare the activation in the muscles specifically targeted with each exercise at 20RM and 12RM.

The main hypothesis was that specific training exercises were requested to maximize the activation of the individual neck and shoulder muscles: with mUTR activation being the highest during SH and RF, mUNE during CE and CL, and mSCM during CF and CR. Further, it was hypothesized that the intensity of the exercises significantly affected muscle activity: 12RM, resulting in higher activity than 20RM during the specific training exercises. Finally, we hypothesized that the muscle activity in the concentric phase was higher than in the eccentric phase and fatigue development was present in each set of an exercise being shown as an increase in EMG amplitude and a decrease in EMG frequency in the targeted muscle groups.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design and Subjects

This study was conducted over three separate days that were interspaced with at least three days with no exercises. On the first day participants were familiarized with the elastic band training exercises and practiced the proper technique under supervision. On the second day, individual loadings were determined for each training exercise during low intensity, high repetition sets (20RM), and during high intensity, moderate repetition sets (12RM). All of the exercises were performed while using concentric and eeccentric muscle contractions in a controlled manner, with slow to moderate lifting velocity corresponding to the execution in earlier intervention studies [16]. Subsequently, the actual duration of concentric and eccentric phases were measured and shown to have an equal duaration each of minimum three seconds. The length and color code of elastic bands were adjusted to reduce or increase the resistance to match 12RM and 20RM for each participant. The task was repeated until the participant was exhausted and/or not able to continue the exercise according to the basics of procedures in the literature to define the individual 12RM and 20RM loads for each exercise [15]. The participant was deemed not able to continue the exercise if making compensating adjustment in body posture or not obeying contraction time and range of movement. The exercise was repeated until the loading corresponding to 20RM and 12RM was determined. On the third day, the determined loadings for each participant were applied and all EMG measurements were performed, while the participant performed all exercises at the intensity of 20RM sets, followed by 12RM sets. The order of exercises was randomized and each exercise was separated by 3-minutes rest intervals to avoid a gradient of fatigue through the test protocol. At the end, isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) were performed for the normalization of the EMG data. For each targeted muscle, three MVCs with a duration of 5 s and 1 minute rest between consecutive trials were performed to induce the maximal muscle activity in a seated position and according to standardized procedures described in details in a recent study [23]. In short, maximal activity in mUTR was obtained during resisted bilateral shoulder elevation, with resistance being placed above the acromions. Maximal activity for mUNE was obtained during a resisted cervical extension and for mSCM during a resisted cervical flexion with resistance being placed on the external occipital protuberance and above the eyebrows, respectively.

The subjects participating were a group of 11 healthy males (age 25.9 ± 1.4 years, height 183.6 ± 5.0 cm, body mass 82.1 ± 6.0 kg, BMI 24.3 ± 1.4), with no pain in neck or shoulders (VAS = 0). The inclusion of only males was justified by the aviation personell—who used these exercises in a previous RCT study—all being males [8]. All of the subjects were informed regarding the benefits and risks of the investigation prior to signing the institutionally approved informed consent document to participate in the study. The local Ethics Committee of Southern Denmark (S-20120121) approved the procedures in the study.

2.2. Procedures

2.2.1. Electromyography (EMG)

The activity of the neck and shoulder muscles was measured through a bipolar surface EMG configuration (Neuroline 720-01-K, Medicotest A/S, Ølstykke, Denmark). The electrodes (Ag/AgC1, Ambu Blue Sensor, N-00-S/25, Denmark) were positioned bilaterally, in accordance with the SENIAM recommendations and earlier studies [24,25,26,27]) with an inter-electrode distance of 20 mm. The electrodes were placed (1) above the upper trapezius muscle (mUTR), 20% medially from the centerpoint between the lateral edge of the acromion and seventh cervical vertebra, (2) above the upper neck extensor (mUNE) muscle, on the most prominent part of the muscle at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra, and (3) above the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (mSCM), over the main muscle belly at the 1/3 distance from the sternal notch to the mastoid process (Figure 1). Before affixing the electrodes, skin was shaved and cleaned with scrubbing gel (Acqua gel, Meditec, Parma, Italy) and 70% alcohol, to effectively lower the impedance to less than 10 kΩ.

The EMG signal was pre-amplified with a gain of 400 and then transferred through an EMG probe (Direct Transmission System (DTS), Noraxon Inc, Scottsdale, AZ, USA) to a belt-receiver (TELEMyo ™ 2400T, DTS, Noraxon Inc, Scottsdale, AZ, USA) with a bandwidth of 10–500 Hz and a common mode rejection ratio better than 100 dB. The signal was sampled at 1000 Hz while using a 16-bit A/D converter (DAQCard Al 16XE 50, National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA) and stored on a computer via the laboratory interface (CED 1401, Spike2 software, Cambridge Electronic Devices, Cambridge, UK).

2.2.2. Elastic Band Training Exercises

Six specifically tailored elastic band training exercises were performed targeting the neck and shoulder muscles. The choice of exercises was evidence-based and designed by an interdisciplinary team, including sports exercise training specialists, physical therapists, medical doctors, and chiropractors. The exercises were performed with a head harness (Neck Flex ^®, Leesburg, VA, USA) while using different color-coded elastic resistance bands (Thera-Band^®, The Hygenic Corporation, Akron, OH, USA). The individual exercises are briefly presented below, as a detailed description can be found in an earlier publication [14] and video material is available online: Neck exercises.

In short the exercises are the following:

(1)

Shrugs (SH) were performed in standing position with the elastic band fixated under the feet and arms placed along the side of the body and shoulders relaxed. The head was held in an anatomically neutral position with eyes looking straight forward. During the exercise, shoulders were elevated as high as possible toward the ears against resistance and lowered again.

(2)

Reverse Flyes (RF) were performed seated with the elastic band fixated under the feet and with a straight back. Participants were instructed to position their head in an anatomically neutral position, lean the trunk forward (~20–30°), and place both arms pointing towards the floor. Elbows were kept in a static and slightly flexed position (~5°). During the exercise, both of the arms were raised toward a horizontal level against resistance and lowered again.

(3)

Cervical Extension (CE) was performed seated. The participants were instructed to keep a straight back, position their head in an anatomically neutral position, and lean the trunk forward (~20–30°). Arms were held strait with the hands placed underneath the knees. An elastic band was stretched between the hands and front of the head harness. The exercise was performed with a low cervical spine flexion, followed by a low cervical spine extension (against resistance).

(4)

Cervical Flexion (CF) was performed in the same way as during cervical extension, but the elastic band was stretched between a door anchor and the back of the head harness. During the exercise, the participants performed a low cervical spine flexion (against resistance), followed by a low cervical spine extension.

(5)

Cervical Lateral flexion (CL) was performed standing erect with the head in an anatomically neutral position. One hand was placed horizontally against a wall and an elastic band was stretched between the hand and side of the head harness. The exercise was performed with a low lateral spine flexion against resistance, followed by a low lateral spine extension. The exercise was performed for the right and left side, respectively.

(6)

Cervical rotation (CR) was performed seated with a straight back and trunk leaned forward (~20°). The head was held in an anatomically neutral position and rotated approximately 45° to either the right or left side. An elastic band was stretched between the head harness and a door anchor. Keeping a static upper body, the hips were flexed and the body flexed (against resistance), followed by an extension. The exercise was performed to the right and left side.

2.3. Outcomes

Analyses of the EMG signals were the outcome data. All data analysis was performed while using a custom-made script in Matlab (MathWorks Inc. USA) and Hedera 2.0 (University of Southern Denmark, Denmark). The peak EMG amplitude was calculated by root mean square (RMS) in a 500 ms moving window. For each repetition during exercises, the peak RMS was normalized to the peak RMS that was obtained during the MVC of each muscle as percentage of maximal voluntary EMG signal (%MVE) in standardized postures [23]. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th repetition of each exercise were averaged and used as the muscle activation for the exercises. The EMG activity in the concentric and eccentric phases of the muscle contraction was analyzed for each muscle during the exercise, resulting in the highest activation. The concentric and eccentric phases of each exercise were marked as an event in a separate channel in the Spike2 software, during each recording, As each repetition was performed with a 3 s concentric and 3 s eccentric phase, the midpoint was used to divide these phases. Additionally, the mean power frequency (MPF) was calculated in the last 1000 ms of the concentric phase of each contraction for the muscle groups during the exercise that represents the highest activation during the contraction.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

All of the data are presented as mean ± SD. The Q-Q plot and the Shapiro-Wilk test with skewness were used to test for normal distribution of data. Differences between left and right muscles during the symmetrical exercises SH, RF, CE, and CF, or between ipsilateral and contralateral muscles during CL and CR performed towards left and right side were examined while using paired-t test. In the case of no difference, the mean value of the two sides was used. If significant differences were found, the side specific values are reported and the highest used to represent the muscle activation level for that exercise. Regarding the main hypotheses of the muscle activity (%MVE) for each muscle group, one way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the different exercises (SH, RF, CE, CF, CL, and CR). If the assumption of Sphericity was violated, the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was used. Planned contrasts were used to localize the differences between the exercise, resulting in the highest activation of specific muscle group and the other exercises. Paired t-test was used for testing possible differences between the two exercise intensities. Furthermore, paired t-test was used to compare muscle activity in the concentric phase and eccentric phase of each muscle group. The fatigue development was tested by paired t-test to compare the third repetition and the last one repetition in normalized EMG amplitude (%MVE) and EMG frequency (MPF). A substantial addition in muscle activation level of at least 20% was requested in order to recommend an advanced, instead of a simple, exercise. This level is well above the SD of approx. 10% in mean level of trapezius activation both found within groups and variability of repeated EMG recordings during high intensity contractions, see, for instance, mean activation levels for trapezius in [17]. A power analysis showed that eight subjects would be sufficient to reveal a difference in muscle activation level of 20%. Within the recruiting period, we managed to recruit 11, who all conducted the full protocol. All of the results were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). A probability level of p < 0.05 (two-tailed) was considered to be statistically significant.

3. Results

Table 1. Mean muscle activity (%MVE) for representative muscle groups shown for each exercise at 12RM and 20RM intensities. Values are presented as mean ± SD. Values > 60% MVE are marked in bold. Italic values are unilateral data, see text.

Muscle	Intensity	Exercise
		SH	RF	CE	CF	CL	CR
mUTR	20RM	78.8 ± 24.0	75.9 ± 30.7	3.4 ± 1.8	1.9 ± 1.3	8.1 ± 4.6	3.7 ± 2.3
	12RM	100.3 ± 29.8	91.6 ± 32.8	4.8 ± 2.5	2.4 ± 2.0	9.1 ± 4.1	4.3 ± 2.8
mUNE	20RM	45.7 ± 16.7	39.1 ± 22.3	50.9 ± 25.8	7.6 ± 3.2	30.2 ± 13.6	10.4 ± 4.6
	12RM	61.9 ± 16.8	55.4 ± 16.3	67.6 ± 29.8	8.5 ± 3.8	45.5 ± 14.6	12.0 ± 4.7
mSCM	20RM	16.7 ± 13.5	14.2 ± 8.9	15.1 ± 11.3	44.8 ± 16.6	25.6 ± 7.7	28.8 ± 9.9
	12RM	26.2 ± 16.5	22.9 ± 14.8	10.1 ± 6.3	51.7 ± 16.4	41.5 ± 14.6	42.5 ± 11.6

presents the muscle activation levels for the six exercises at two intensities. There were no differences between left and right side of muscles during the symmetrical exercises and no difference between ipsilateral and contralateral when the exercises CL and CR were performed to right versus left side. Therefore, the data were averaged over left and right muscles or ipsilateral and contralateral muscles, except during CL for mUNE and mSCM. This is due to the higher muscle activity during CL in ipsilateral than contralateral for mUNE (30.2% ± 13.6% vs. 12.8% ± 6.8%, p < 0.001, for 20RM, and 45.5% ± 14.6% vs. 17.2% ± 7.1%, p < 0.001, for 12RM) and for mSCM (25.6% ± 7.7% vs. 11.6% ± 6.3%, p = 0.001, for 20RM, and 41.5% ± 14.6% vs. 15.3% ± 8.4%, p = 0.001, for 12RM). Therefore, for CL the higher value of %MVE in ipsilateral of mUNE and mSCM were used as the results (Table 1).

The repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significantly different muscle activation between the types of exercise for: mUTR (F(1.099, 10.987) = 97.622, p < 0.001), mUNE (F(2.359, 23.59) = 29.038, p < 0.001), and mSCM (F(5, 50) = 18.045, p < 0.001), respectively. Figure 2 presents the contrast of muscle activity during the exercise, which induced the highest activation with other exercises. For mUTR, SH induced highest activity, and this was significantly higher than all of the remaining exercises, except RF. For mUNE, CE induced the highest activity and this was higher than during CF, CL and CR, but not significantly different from SH, and RF. For mSCM, CF induced the highest activity and this was higher than in all the remaining exercises. Furthermore, when compared with 20RM, the mean muscle activity of all exercises was significantly higher (relative increase 34%) during 12RM. For the specific muscle groups the relative increase were 26% in mUTR (p < 0.001), 41% in mUNE (p < 0.001), and 35% in mSCM (p < 0.001). (Figure 3).

Analysis while considering activity separately in the concentric and eccentric contraction modes showed that the muscle activity of mUTR, mUNE, and mSCM in the concentric phase when compared to the eccentric phase was significantly increased by relative 75% for SH (p < 0.001), 32% for CE (p = 0.009), and 22% for CF (p = 0.002) (Figure 4).

Analysis of fatigue development showed that, in each set of an exercise, a significant increase occurred in %MVE and a significant decrease occurred in EMG frequency (MPF) during SH, CE, and CF for each muscle groups of mUTR, mUNE, and mSCM, respectively (

Table 2. The fatigue development of mean muscle activity (%MVE) and mean power frequency (MPF) for the upper trapezius muscle (mUTR), upper neck extensors muscles (mUNE), and sternocleidomastoideus muscles mSCM at intensities of 12 and 20RM. #Values are presented as mean ± SD for the exercises shrugs (SH), cervical extension (CE), and cervical extension (CF) that resulted in the highest activation of each muscle.

Muscle	Exercise	Fatigue Development	20RM			12RM
			Rep 3.	Rep 19.	p-Values	Rep 3.	Rep 11.	p-Values
mUTR	SH	%MVC	81.2 ± 27.1	95.6 ± 25.6	0.001	94.3 ± 31.4	114.1 ± 30.2	<0.001
		MPF	78.5 ± 5.9	69.8 ± 8.2	<0.001	80.3 ± 12.0	71.6 ± 10.2	<0.001
mUNE	CE	%MVC	50.7 ± 26.2	67.5 ± 33.7	0.006	64.5 ± 28.7	82.4 ± 33.7	0.010
		MPF	66.0 ± 7.6	57.2 ± 8.9	0.004	63.6 ± 9.4	57.6 ± 10.6	0.005
mSCM	CF	%MVC	43.9 ± 17.4	53.5 ± 20.7	0.016	51.4 ± 17.1	65.0 ± 21.5	0.027
		MPF	104 ± 14.4	95.2 ± 14.4	0.005	104.0 ± 13.4	99.1 ± 12.7	0.012

).

4. Discussion

4.1. Main Finding

Specific activation patterns were identified in the three neck/shoulder muscles that were studied, in accordance with the hypothesis exercise type. Interestingly, the simple exercises, SH and RF, elicited muscle activities of >60% MVE in mUNE as well as in mUTR. The more advanced exercise, CE, showed numerically slightly higher—but not significantly—activation of mUNE, and CF produced the highest activity in mSCM, but this did not attain >60% MVE neither during 20RM nor 12RM and can therefore, not be recommend in case of mSCM insufficiencies. The two muscle groups most often attracting work related pain are mUTR and mUNE [1,3,4,5]. It is therefore interesting that both muscles can be intensively activated by two simple exercises (SH and RF), as this might potentially counteract the work related pain. The CL and CR, which are the most difficult exercises to perform correctly, did not elicit significantly higher percentages of muscle activation than any of the other exercises and can therefore be disregarded, unless for extra training variation. Thereby, our main hypothesis was rejected.

Earlier studies have reported significantly higher activation levels of mUTR during SH than RF [17,28], but this was not the case in the present study. The similar activation levels of mUTR during SH and RF may have great clinical importance due to the difference in force resistance that is required for performing the exercises. When performing the SH exercise for all subjects, a combination of three high resistance elastic bands were needed, whereas only one low resistance elastic band was used during RF. Thus, the SH exercise requires significant grip strength and core stability, which might be challenging for some populations. The mUTRs role as a scapula up- and outward rotator in combination with the significant external moment arm during the RF exercise may explain the high muscle activation in spite of low external resistance. Therefore, the RF exercise might, for some populations, be a more appropriate choice of exercise as compared to the SH.

The activity of mUNE was not significantly higher in CE compared to SH and RF. To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate high activity of neck muscles during SH and RF. This observation implies that the use of sophisticated exercises might not be needed as simple exercises effectively can activate both neck and shoulder muscles. This finding is supported by an earlier finding on high (>60% MVE) muscle activity of m. splenius capitis during lateral raise, which is similar to the RF that was used in the present study [29]. As splenius capitis is a part of the upper neck extensor muscle group, it will contribute to the gross activity measured as mUNE in the present study. Based on functional anatomy, the cervical spine will be forced in a protracted position during SH and RF, when performed with an external loading [30,31,32]. The neck muscles must be activated in order to stabilize and keep a neutral positio. This essential role of neck stability during SH, RF, and lateral raise may thus be a possible explanation for the high muscle activity in neck extensor muscle group. In this regard, it must be noted that the stabilizing effect arrives from static muscle contractions and the subsequent physiological effect might not be the same as from dynamic muscle contractions during the CE exercise [33,34,35]. Studies using wire electrodes to separate activity in the deep and superficial neck extensor muscles have pointed out the importance of activity specifically in the deep extensor muscles for patients with chronic neck pain [36]. Since surface EMG records from all of the underlying muscles, we cannot rule out that the same activity in SH and CE represent different contribution from the neck extensor muscles that may be of importance for specific patient groups. However, this distinction might not be equally important for the purpose of general strengthening of the neck extensors to relieve work related pain.

4.2. Contraction Intensities

In general, it is assumed that muscle activation increases with increased external load. Our hypothesis regarding a higher intensity during 12RM as compared 20RM was confirmed. We found that the EMG activity increased by 9% MVE from an overall mean of 28% MVE at 20RM to 37% MVE at 12RM. This corresponds to the estimated increase from 60% of 1RM at 20RM to the 70% of 1RM at 12RM. However, this general increase consisted of largely different increases for each of the targeted muscles. The muscles have a rather different function in each exercise and a high degree of co-contraction occurring in the neck region. Only for the mUTR would the 20RM evoke intensities >60% MVE that is normally considered to be most efficient for a training effect. From a pain reduction perspective, the high intensive exercises have been shown to be most effective and, therefore, the 12RM might be the best gain for the work time invested into exercises at the workplace [11,18].

4.3. Muscle Activation Patterns

The exercises included a concentric and an eccentric phase and EMG recordings clearly demonstrated that the highest activation occurred in the concentric phase, which is in concert with general physiological findings of the recruitment pattern explained by the force-velocity relationship [37,38]. Elastic band training exercises has been shown to compare well to activation patterns seen during traditional dumbbell exercises [29] and this underpins that elastic band exercise training might well substitute training with more advanced equipment. EMG recording also demonstrated that, during each set of contractions, significant muscle fatigue developed in all recorded muscle groups. In spite of the difference in activation level between the 12RM and 20RM in the first contraction of the sets then at the last contraction of the 12RM and 20RM both attained levels >60%MVE, which may potentially evoke an increase in muscle capacity [15]. Hereby, the present hypotheses regarding the contraction mode and fatigue EMG patterns were confirmed.

4.4. Study Strenghts and Limitations

We consider this study as a first step in the investigation of recommendable training and rehabilitation exercises for the neck/shoulder muscle based on elastic bands. The strengths of the study is the direct measures using EMG to assess the activation of representative neck muscle groups and instead of subjective assessment. Additionally, the design of the study using randomization of the exercises is a strength, since this ensures that the fatigue development within each type of exercise is not biased by its timewise performance.

The limitations of present study relate to the population only including a small group of males similar to majority of employees in the job groups specifically challenged with high exposures of the neck muscles due to helmet wearing or high accelerations (fighter pilots, helicopter pilots, construction workers, etc.). Additionally, the population consist of healthy subjects without serious neck/shoulder disorders. Therefore, extrapolation of our results to patients with neck/shoulder injury should be undertaken with caution. We cannot conclude that patients suffering from neck/shoulder pain will show similar muscle activation patterns when performing the exercises that are studied here.

Furthermore, EMG activity during the dynamic exercises was normalized to measurements of EMG activity during static MVCs to quantify the level of muscle activation. Given the inherent methodological limitations that are associated with surface EMG, only a rough estimate of the absolute level of muscle activation can be inferred while using this method. Fine wire electrodes for some of the deeper layers of neck extensor muscles could have further detailed the contribution of activity from each of the neck extensors. Finally, more muscles and contraction intensities could be studied to give an even more complete activation pattern for optimal recommendations of training exercises.

4.5. Future Perspectives

While considering the limitations above, future studies should include participants with work-related neck pain in a randomized controlled trial preferably designed with three groups: (A) training only using the simple exercises, (B) training with a variety of exercises, including the advanced and difficult exercises, and (C) a control group. Importantly the training volume, progression, undulation, and duration should be similar for groups A and B, as we have exemplified in previous studies [9,10,11,13]. The primary outcome should be neck pain testing the hypothesis that groups A and B would have equally positive effects. Additionally, secondary outcomes should be included, like muscle strength and adherence to the exercises; the latter in particular to test the hypothesis implied in the present study that adherence for group A would be larger that for group B.

5. Conclusions

The simple exercises (SH and RF) were highly effective, as they induced high muscle activation level of both shoulder and neck muscles and induced fatigue within the set of exercises. The more advanced neck exercises (CE and CF) and quite difficult exercises (CL and CR) did not, in general, add significantly higher muscle activation levels. The practical implications of these findings are that these simple exercises can be preferred for self-administered training programs—e.g., at the worksite—targeting neck and shoulder muscle either for increased general strength or as prevention for work related pain and disorders.