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Table 5 The supraspinatus: middle deltoid (S:D) ratio for 24 shoulder positions

From: The preferable shoulder position can isolate supraspinatus activity superior to the classic empty can test: an electromyographic study

Position no.

Abduction (degrees)

Horizontal flexion (degrees)

Rotation

Median (range)

1

30

0

IR

0.7 (0.3–1.5)

2

30

0

ER

1.5 (0.7–2.8)

3

30

30

IR

1.0 (0.3–3.3)

4

30

30

ER

3.4 (0.5–9.1)

5

30

60

IR

1.5 (0.1–11.6)

6

30

60

ER

3.0 (0.6–21.9)

7

30

SP

IR

0.9 (0.4–1.7)

8

30

SP

ER

2.5 (0.9–8.0)

9

60

0

IR

0.7 (0.4–1.3)

10

60

0

ER

1.4 (0.5–2.6)

11

60

30

IR

1.0 (0.5–1.7)

12

60

30

ER

1.6 (0.7–4.4)

13

60

60

IR

1.2 (0.3–7.3)

14

60

60

ER

1.5 (0.3–4.1)

15

60

SP

IR

0.9 (0.4–1.8)

16

60

SP

ER

1.6 (0.5–4.0)

17

90

0

IR

0.7 (1.6–1.2)

18

90

0

ER

1.4 (0.3–2.8)

19

90

30

IR

0.8 (0.2–1.2)

20

90

30

ER

1.4 (0.2–2.9)

21

90

60

IR

1.0 (0.1–1.5)

22

90

60

ER

1.2 (0.1–2.1)

23

90

SP

IR

0.9 (0.2–1.3)

24

90

SP

ER

1.4 (0.2–3.2)

  1. P-value from Kruskal–Wallis (compared among 24 shoulder positions) = 0.0001*
  2. *IR = internal rotation, ER = external rotation, SP = scapular plane