Supraspinatus
Integrated functional anatomy of the supraspinatus. Attachments, nerves, palpation, joint actions, arthrokinematics, fascia, triggerpoints, and behavior in postural dysfunction. Common activation exercises, subsystems, foam rolling, stretches, and strength exercises for the rotator cuff.
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Course Description: Supraspinatus
Structure
This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the supraspinatus (a.k.a. the abductor of the rotator cuff muscles, the superior rotator cuff muscle, and superior rotator cuff tendon, or elevator of the glenohumeral joint rotators). As the name implies, the supraspinatus originates within the supraspinous fossa of the scapula (superior to the spine of the shoulder blade), the supraspinatus tendon crosses the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint), and the tendon inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus. This muscle is located deep to the upper trapezius. The supraspinatus is enclosed within its own fascial compartment, separated from the trapezius by the supraspinatus fascia, which is continuous with the infraspinatus fascia; however, the supraspinatus and infraspinatus are separated by the spine of the scapula. Research suggests the supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle contributing to approximately 2.0% of the total upper body muscle mass (compared to the pectoralis major which contributes approximately 10% of the upper body mass). Additionally, research suggests that the supraspinatus is composed primarily of type I muscle fibers.
Function:
The supraspinatus muscle crosses the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint, contributing to shoulder abduction, and as part of the rotator cuff aids in the stabilization of the shoulder during all joint actions. This course also discusses the supraspinatus and shoulder (glenohumeral) joint arthrokinematics, fascial integration, subsystem integration, and postural dysfunction. For example, "Arms Fall " during an Overhead Squat Assessment and signs of Upper Body Dysfunction (UBD) , are correlated with altered rotator cuff recruitment and EMG activity, most often including an increase in supraspinatus activity, and a reduction in stability, strength, and range of motion of the shoulder joint . This implies this muscle should most often be released.
Practical Application:
Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the integrated function of the supraspinatus for the detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. For example, altered activity and length of the supraspinatus may contribute to rotator cuff injury, rotator cuff tears, shoulder pain, shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), supraspinatus tendon strain, biceps tendon impingement, and the resulting weakness and pain during motions such as shoulder abduction and flexion. Altered supraspinatus activity may also result in a reduction in infraspinatus, teres minor, and anterior deltoid activity, resulting in a significant reduction in upper extremity speed, agility, and strength, and a reduction in the effectiveness of resistance training intended to improve upper body strength and hypertrophy (bodybuilding). Deeper knowledge of supraspinatus anatomy is essential for optimal assessment, intervention selection, and building a repertoire of supraspinatus-specific techniques.
This Course Includes:
This course also provides detailed descriptions of etymology, attachments, innervations, joint actions, location, palpation, integrated actions, arthrokinematics, fascial integration, subsystem integration, postural dysfunction, assessment, clinical implications, and interventions.
Pre-approved credits for:
Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:
- Athletic Trainers
- Chiropractors
- Group Exercise Instructors
- Massage Therapists
- Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
- Personal Trainers
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Physiotherapists
- Yoga Instructors
This Course Includes:
- AI Tutor
- Webinar
- Study Guide
- Text and Illustrations
- Audio Voice-over
- Research Review
- Technique Videos
- Case Study and Sample Routine
- Practice Exam
- Pre-approved Final Exam
Sample Intervention: Loss of Shoulder Range of Motion
- Client/Patient History: History of shoulder pain
- Overhead Squat Assessment:
- Goniometry:
- Manual Muscle Testing :
- Shoulder External Rotator : "Weak" or "with Compensation" (abduction)
Sample Self-administered Intervention
- Release
- Mobilization or Manipulation
- Lengthening
- Activation
- Reactive Activation
- Integration
Additional Courses and Techniques:
Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the supraspinatus (see videos below):
- Release: Supraspinatus Static Release
- Mobilization:Shoulder Mobilization

Course Study Guide: Supraspinatus
Coures Summary Webinar: Supraspinatus
Etymology of Terms Related to the Supraspinatus
Attachment & Innervation: Supraspinatus
Where is the Supraspinatus Located?
Palpating the Supraspinatus
Supraspinatus Muscle Actions2 Sub Sections
Fascial Integration
Supraspinatus Research3 Sub Sections
Movement Impairment and the Supraspinatus2 Sub Sections
Exercises and Techniques for the Supraspinatus 3 Sub Sections
Case Study and Sample Routine: Loss of Shoulder Range of Motion
Bibliography
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- Fascial Integration:
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- EMG Activity:
- Comparing Joint Actions
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- Flexion, Extension, and Abduction
- Wattanaprakornkul, D., Cathers, I., Halaki, M., & Ginn, K. A. (2011). The rotator cuff muscles have a direction specific recruitment pattern during shoulder flexion and extension exercises. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 14(5), 376–382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.01.001
- Wickham, J., Pizzari, T., Stansfeld, K., Burnside, A., & Watson, L. (2010). Quantifying 'normal' shoulder muscle activity during abduction. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 20(2), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2009.06.004
- Comparing Various Exercises
- Calver, R., Alenabi, T., Cudlip, A., Dickerson, C. R., Mondal, P., & Kim, S. Y. (2022). Regional activation of supraspinatus and infraspinatus sub-regions during dynamic tasks performed with free weights. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 62, 102308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.05.009
- Boettcher, C. E., Ginn, K. A., & Cathers, I. (2009). Which is the optimal exercise to strengthen supraspinatus?. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 41(11), 1979–1983. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181a740a
- Fukunaga, T., Orishimo, K. F., & McHugh, M. P. (2022). Electromyographic analysis of select eccentric-focused rotator cuff exercises. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 38(13), 2554–2562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2021.1949767
- Reinold, M. M., Macrina, L. C., Wilk, K. E., Fleisig, G. S., Dun, S., Barrentine, S. W., Ellerbusch, M. T., & Andrews, J. R. (2007). Electromyographic analysis of the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles during 3 common rehabilitation exercises. Journal of athletic training, 42(4), 464–469
- Isometric Positions and Pertubration
- Worrel, T. W., Corey, B. J., York, S. L., & Santiestaban, J. (1992). An analysis of supraspinatus EMG activity and shoulder isometric force development. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 24(7), 744–748.
- Malanga, G. A., Jenp, Y. N., Growney, E. S., & An, K. N. (1996). EMG analysis of shoulder positioning in testing and strengthening the supraspinatus. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 28(6), 661–664. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199606000-00003
- Whittaker, R. L., Alenabi, T., Kim, S. Y., & Dickerson, C. R. (2022). Regional Electromyography of the Infraspinatus and Supraspinatus Muscles During Standing Isometric External Rotation Exercises. Sports health, 14(5), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381211043849
- Day, A., Taylor, N. F., & Green, R. A. (2012). The stabilizing role of the rotator cuff at the shoulder--responses to external perturbations. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 27(6), 551–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.02.003
- Passive and Active-Assisted Movements
- Cross, A., deVries, J., Vetter, C.S., Mocarski, M., Ketchum, N.,Compty, E., Krimmer, M., Fritz. (2020). "Electromyography of the shoulder musculature during passive rehabilitation exercises." Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty, 4 (2020): 2471549220960044.
- Jung, M. C., Kim, S. J., Rhee, J. J., & Lee, D. H. (2016). Electromyographic activities of the subscapularis, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during passive shoulder and active elbow exercises. Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 24(7), 2238–2243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3586-8
- Gurney, A. B., Mermier, C., LaPlante, M., Majumdar, A., O'Neill, K., Shewman, T., & Gurney, J. G. (2016). Shoulder Electromyography Measurements During Activities of Daily Living and Routine Rehabilitation Exercises. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 46(5), 375–383. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2016.6090
- Activities of Daily Living and Sport
- Kelly, B. T., Backus, S. I., Warren, R. F., & Williams, R. J. (2002). Electromyographic analysis and phase definition of the overhead football throw. The American journal of sports medicine, 30(6), 837–844. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465020300061401
- Ryu, R. K., McCormick, J., Jobe, F. W., Moynes, D. R., & Antonelli, D. J. (1988). An electromyographic analysis of shoulder function in tennis players. The American journal of sports medicine, 16(5), 481–485. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354658801600509
- Scaption
- Reddy, A. S., Mohr, K. J., Pink, M. M., & Jobe, F. W. (2000). Electromyographic analysis of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles in persons with subacromial impingement. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 9(6), 519–523. https://doi.org/10.1067/mse.2000.109410
- Myers, J. B., Hwang, J. H., Pasquale, M. R., Blackburn, J. T., & Lephart, S. M. (2009). Rotator cuff coactivation ratios in participants with subacromial impingement syndrome. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 12(6), 603–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.06.003
- Comparing Abduction, Flexion, Scaption, and External Rotation
- McMahon, P. J., Jobe, F. W., Pink, M. M., Brault, J. R., & Perry, J. (1996). Comparative electromyographic analysis of shoulder muscles during planar motions: anterior glenohumeral instability versus normal. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 5(2 Pt 1), 118–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1058-2746(96)80006-1
- Diederichsen, L. P., Nørregaard, J., Dyhre-Poulsen, P., Winther, A., Tufekovic, G., Bandholm, T., Rasmussen, L. R., & Krogsgaard, M. (2009). The activity pattern of shoulder muscles in subjects with and without subacromial impingement. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 19(5), 789–799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.08.006
- Ballantyne, B. T., O'Hare, S. J., Paschall, J. L., Pavia-Smith, M. M., Pitz, A. M., Gillon, J. F., & Soderberg, G. L. (1993). Electromyographic activity of selected shoulder muscles in commonly used therapeutic exercises. Physical therapy, 73(10), 668–682. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/73.10.668
- Daily Activities and Throwing
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- Movement Impairment
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- Lawrence, R.L., Braman, J.P., Staker, J.L., Laprade, R.F., Ludewig, P.M. (2014) Comparison of 3-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain, Part 2: Glenohumeral joint. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 44(9). 646-B3
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- Trigger Point
- David G. Simons, Janet Travell, Lois S. Simons, Travell & Simmons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 1. Upper Half of Body: Second Edition,© 1999 Williams and Wilkens
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- Shirley A Sahrmann, Diagnoses and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, © 2002 Mosby Inc.
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