Influence of Resistance Modality on Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Across the Full Range of Motion: A Scoping Review
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
BACKGROUND: Throughout recent years, elastic bands have become a popular resistance modality in rehabilitation. The resistance provided by elastic bands in rehabilitation does, however, differ from that of free weights, as it changes throughout the specified range of motion. Current literature comparing muscle activation and joint torque when using elastic bands versus when using constant resistance (free weights) typically condense the values of muscle activation and joint torque into peak readings for the entire phase or simply break the two phases into early and late stages. The purpose of this scoping review was to analyze the literature to see how the different resistance profiles of variable and constant resistance affect muscle activation continuously throughout an entire range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder.
METHODS: Three primary databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest) were used to search for literature, using multiple different combinations of following string of key terms: Full ROM, shoulder, glenohumeral joint, electromyography (EMG), elastic resistance, free weights, cable machines, constant resistance, variable resistance. RESULTS: Initial search yielded 720 studies, 63 of which were found to be duplicates. Using Covidence software, only 8 were found to be relevant to the research question. These included studies show either no significant difference in muscle activation or favor constant resistance for increased muscular activation; however, they condense these numbers into peak values.
CONCLUSION: While recent literature does provide evidence for increased muscle activation and joint loading using constant resistance, further research is required to analyze how a full range of motion arc would change these variables.
Recommended Citation
Landry, Tate and Bourgeois, Trenton, "Influence of Resistance Modality on Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Across the Full Range of Motion: A Scoping Review" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 37.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/37
Influence of Resistance Modality on Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Across the Full Range of Motion: A Scoping Review
BACKGROUND: Throughout recent years, elastic bands have become a popular resistance modality in rehabilitation. The resistance provided by elastic bands in rehabilitation does, however, differ from that of free weights, as it changes throughout the specified range of motion. Current literature comparing muscle activation and joint torque when using elastic bands versus when using constant resistance (free weights) typically condense the values of muscle activation and joint torque into peak readings for the entire phase or simply break the two phases into early and late stages. The purpose of this scoping review was to analyze the literature to see how the different resistance profiles of variable and constant resistance affect muscle activation continuously throughout an entire range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder.
METHODS: Three primary databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest) were used to search for literature, using multiple different combinations of following string of key terms: Full ROM, shoulder, glenohumeral joint, electromyography (EMG), elastic resistance, free weights, cable machines, constant resistance, variable resistance. RESULTS: Initial search yielded 720 studies, 63 of which were found to be duplicates. Using Covidence software, only 8 were found to be relevant to the research question. These included studies show either no significant difference in muscle activation or favor constant resistance for increased muscular activation; however, they condense these numbers into peak values.
CONCLUSION: While recent literature does provide evidence for increased muscle activation and joint loading using constant resistance, further research is required to analyze how a full range of motion arc would change these variables.