(Image via Bloodyelbow.com)
As I was reviewing some of the images from yesterday’s weigh-in for UFC 162, I ran across this picture of Mark Munoz. His serratus anterior muscle development is exceptional, so I thought I would post on the importance of the serratus for a striking athlete, such as an MMA fighter.
The serratus anterior muscle functions to protract the scapula, meaning that it pulls the scapula forward and around the rib cage. It is also important in stabilizing the scapula when the arm is active, particularly when striking. The power for a strike is initiated in the legs, then transferred from the legs to the trunk. As the arm starts to extend during a strike, the shoulder directs the force in a coordinated fashion to the arm. It is at this point that the serratus anterior becomes important as it must pull the scapula forward and stabilize it at the same time, all in a split second. The gif below, showing Rashad Evans crumpling Chuck Liddell, is an excellent portrayal of these scapular movements during a power strike. One can see Rashad’s shoulder blade move (protract), and then instantly stabilize as the strike contacts Liddell’s chin.
The function of the serratus can be impaired when one is experiencing shoulder pain, such as may occur when the rotator cuff tendon is being pinched (or impinged) beneath the acromion of the scapula. Research demonstrates that there is a decrease in activation of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior muscles in those with shoulder impingement[1]. All of these muscles play an important role in stabilizing the scapula. The serratus obviously will weaken when a fighter has had surgery on the shoulder. (Chris Weidman and Demetrius Johnson are two UFC fighters set to return to the Octagon this month following shoulder surgery.) At some point during rehabilitation after shoulder surgery, the fighter must specifically address strengthening of this muscle and re accommodate it to working in sync with the other muscles of the shoulder and shoulder blade. Otherwise, the scapula can remains unstable and lead to ongoing problems with shoulder pain and dysfunction. It will also render strikes much less effective.
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1. Page, P. Shoulder muscle imbalance and subacromial impingement syndrome in overhead athletes.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2011;6(1):51-58.
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