This study utilizes electromyographic analysis to investigate how various shoulder exercises impact muscle recruitment in competitive bodybuilders.

Researchers compared frontal raises against four different lateral raise techniques, specifically adjusting the rotation of the humerus and the angle of the elbow.

The results demonstrate that internal rotation during lateral raises significantly increases engagement of the posterior deltoid, upper trapezius, and triceps, whereas external rotation favors the anterior and medial deltoid.

Conversely, frontal raises primarily isolate the anterior deltoid and pectoralis major.

These findings suggest that athletes can fine-tune their training by selecting specific exercise variations to target distinct muscle groups within the shoulder complex.

(Coratella G, Tornatore G, Longo S, Esposito F, Cè E. An electromyographic analysis of lateral raise variations and frontal raise in competitive bodybuilders. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2020;17(17):6015. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176015)