Effects of augmented trunk stabilization with external compression support on shoulder & scapular muscle activity and strength during isometric shoulder abduction.

Janng HU et al. J Electromyo Kneiso Apr;25(2) 2014

This study gives more directed research to the phenomena behind the ATM2 restraint/belting/repositioning. The authors wanted to evaluate the ATM2 (external pelvic and/or thoracic compression) effects via EMG on muscle activation properties with external support (the ATM2 premise).  They evaluated several scapular stabilization muscles (upper trapezius, serratus, middle deltoid) under (3) conditions:

1. NO external support
2. Pelvic support alone
3. Both pelvic and shoulder thoracic support. During abduction, strength was viably increased under both pelvic and thoracic compression/restraint (condition (3)).

The findings suggest that: “augmented trunk stabilization may be advantageous with regard to reducing the compensatory muscle efforts of trapezius during isometric shoulder abduction and increasing of abduction strength”.