EMG Analysis of Dominant and Non-Dominant Arm of Latissimus Dorsi Muscles in Bowlers of Karad, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Latissimus dorsi plays an important role in bowlers. Different bowling techniques recruit latissimus dorsi at different phases of bowling. This causes the muscle to undergo excessive contraction than its limit. Despite widespread knowledge about the recruitment of latissimus dorsi in bowling, there is limited electromyographic (EMG) studies about latissimus dorsi. It is necessary to evaluate and document the recruitment of latissimus dorsi in dominant and non-dominant arm in bowlers, which is focused in this study. This study was done to analyse the surface EMG activity of latissimus dorsi muscle in dominant and non-dominant arm during bowling. METHODS A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among 96 professional cricket bowlers from deluxe cricket club and Yashwanthrao Chavan’s cricket club in Karad. EMG electrodes were applied over the latissimus dorsi muscle and the bowlers were asked to perform the action of bowling. The root mean square (RMS) and mean peak amplitude of the dominant and non-dominant arm were recorded. RESULTS The RMS (12.45 ± 2.84) values and mean peak amplitude (131.77 ± 44.11) of the dominant latissimus dorsi varied significantly from non-dominant muscle (P = 0.0015). Wilcoxon test was utilized for analysis of within group parameters. CONCLUSIONS The result of the present study showed strong evidence to support high recruitment of dominant latissimus dorsi in professional bowlers suggests the changes occurred in the physiological as well as biomechanical muscular structure. KEY WORDS EMG, Dominant, Non-Dominant, Latissimus Dorsi, Fast Bowlers