Pull-up and modified pull-up tests are frequently used for shoulder muscles

endurance evaluation by physical educators. Despite of using these tests, the

difference of muscle activation pattern in pull-up and modified pull-up tests has

not been documented clearly. However, the role of some important muscles

such as anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, trapezius and latissimus dorsi have

not yet examined during these tests. This study aimed to determine effects of

pull-up and modified pull-up tests on the EMGs recordings from selected

muscles including anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps, triceps, pectoralis

major, trapezius and latissimus dorsi. Ten able-bodied males (age: 25.32 ±

3.95 yrs; weight: 72.31 ± 7.24 kg) who were able to do at least 5 pull-ups were

selected to participate in the study. Surface electromyographic data were

recorded from selected muscles using De Luca and Basmajian’s method.

ANOVA with repeated measures was employed for comparison of

electromyographic activity in the selected muscles during pull-up and modified

pull-up tests (p  0.05). The results revealed that in modified pull-up test

anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid and trapezius muscles activation were

significantly higher in comparison with pull-up test, while the EMG activity of

biceps, triceps and pectoralis major was significantly higher in pull-up test.