Effect of Grip Width on Electromyographic Activity During the Upright Row.
J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Feb 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Effect of Grip Width on Electromyographic Activity During the Upright Row.
McAllister MJ, Schilling BK, Hammond KG, Weiss LW, Farney TM.
Abstract
The upright row is commonly used to develop the deltoid and upper back musculature. However, little information exists concerning muscle recruitment during variations of this exercise. Sixteen weight-trained men completed two repetitions each in the upright row with three grip conditions; 50, 100, and 200% of the biacromial breadth (BAB). The load was the same for all grip conditions and was equal to 85% of the 1RM determined at 100% BAB. RMANOVA were used to compare the maximal activity of the anterior deltoid (AD), lateral deltoid (LD), posterior deltoid (PD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and biceps brachii (BB) during the three grip widths for eccentric and concentric actions. Significant differences (p<0.05) were noted in concentric muscle activity for LD (p<0.001), and PD (p<0.001), and in eccentric muscle activity for AD (p=0.023), LD (p<0.001), UT (p<0.001), MT (p<0.001), and BB (p=0.003). Bonferroni post hoc analysis revealed significant pairwise differences in the concentric actions from the LD (50% BAB vs 200% BAB and 100% vs 200% BAB) and PD (50% BAB vs 200% BAB and 100% vs 200% BAB), and eccentric actions of the LD (all comparisons), UT (all comparisons), MT (50% BAB vs 200% BAB and 100% vs 200% BAB), and BB (50% BAB vs 200%), with large to very large effect sizes. Moderate-to-large effect sizes were noted for several non-significant comparisons. The main findings of this investigation are increased deltoid and trapezius activity with increasing grip width, and correspondingly less biceps brachii activity. Therefore, those who seek to maximize involvement of the deltoid and trapezius muscles during the upright row should utilize a wide grip.