Muscle activation and perceived loading during rehabilitation exercises: comparison of dumbbells and elastic resistance

Background. High-intensity resistance training plays an essential role in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Although resistance exercises with heavy weights yield high levels of muscle activation, the efficacy of more user-friendly forms of exercise needs to be examined. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate muscle activation and per-ceived loading during upper-extremity resistance exercises with dumbbells com-pared with elastic tubing. Design. A single-group, repeated-measures study design was used. Setting. Exercise evaluation was conducted in a laboratory setting. Participants. Sixteen female workers (aged 26–55 years) without serious mus-culoskeletal diseases and with a mean neck and shoulder pain intensity of 7.8 on a 100-mm visual analog scale participated in the study. Measurements. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in 5 selected muscles during the exercises of lateral raise, wrist extension, and shoulder external rotation during graded loadings with dumbbells (2–7.5 kg) and elastic tubing (Thera