Evaluation of a New Rotator Cuff Trainer Based on Oscillating Hydraulic Damping

In order to provide a convenient way to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and prevent rotator cuff injury, this study designed an innovative strength trainer specifically for shoulder rotator cuff based on oscillating hydraulic damping. We carried out a myoelectric testing experiment to evaluate the shoulder rotation training effect and compared the results with traditional training equipment to verify the feasibility and validity of the new rotator cuff trainer (RCT). Then, we further explored the influence of different training postures and motion speeds on shoulder rotation training. In the experiment, subjects used three types of equipment (RCT, dumbbells and elastic bands) to perform shoulder rotation training under two movement speeds and two motion postures. The surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of targeted muscles were collected in real time and then further analyzed. The experimental results showed that when using the RCT, the muscle force generation sequence was more aligned with the biomechanical principles of shoulder rotation than using the other two training methods, and the target training muscles had the higher percentage of muscle work. During RCT training, a higher speed of movement (120 degrees/s) led to a higher degree of muscle activation; coronal axis rotation was better for the infraspinatus training, and sagittal axis rotation was better for teres minor training. Based on these results, the RCT was proved to be more effective than traditional training methods. In order to exercise the different muscles of rotator cuff more comprehensively and extensively, different postures should be selected. Furthermore, the movement speed can be appropriately increased within the safe range to improve muscle activation.