Serratus Anterior

This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the serratus anterior muscle (a.k.a. serratus, S.A., serratus muscle, riblet muscle, rib muscles). This muscle is located on the lateral side of the ribcage, is composed primarily of type I muscle fibers, and crosses the scapulothoracic joint (a.k.a. the shoulder blade, shoulder girdle).

The serratus anterior is the primary protractor of the scapula (shoulder blade), will contribute to upward rotation, and posterior tipping of the scapula, and some research suggests the lower fibers may contribute to depression of the scapula. Further, the serratus anterior is the primary stabilizer of the shoulder girdle, and like the rotator cuff, is likely to exhibit an increase in muscle activity during all motions and exercise for the upper extremity. Additionally, this muscle will eccentrically decelerate scapular retraction, anterior tipping, downward rotation, and potentially elevation. This course also describes the role of the serratus anterior in scapulothoracic, sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joint arthrokinematics, fascial integration, postural dysfunction, and subsystem integration.

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the integrated anatomy of scapula for the analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing the synergistic function of the serratus anterior (e.g. serratus anterior muscle activity increasing to stabilize the scapula during shoulder elevation), injury prevention, and physical rehabilitation (e.g. long thoracic nerve dysfunction, thoracic outlet syndrome, serratus anterior weakness, AC and SC joint pain, shoulder impingement, shoulder pain during humeral elevation, scapular winging, shoulder laxity, etc.) and serratus anterior exercises and techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. upper body (arm) stability, strength, power, hypertrophy, etc.)… including why there are better choices than a scapular push-up.

Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the Serratus Anterior (see videos below):

• Activation: Serratus Anterior Floor Y’s
• Activation: Serratus Anterior Wall Slides
• Activation: Serratus Anterior Reactive Integration

Caption: The serratus anterior in a cadaver dissection