High-Density Surface Electromyography Excitation of Prime Movers in the Narrow vs. Wide Grip Seated Row Exercise

The current study compared the spatial excitation of prime movers during the seated row with a narrow (narrow-SR) or a wide grip (wide-SR) using high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG). Fourteen resistance-trained men performed both variations of the exercise using 8-RM (repetition maximum) loads. HD-sEMG amplitude and excitation centroids for the upper/middle/lower trapezius, the latissimus dorsi, the lateral/posterior deltoid, the biceps brachii, the triceps brachii, and the erector spinae were recorded during concentric and eccentric phases. Overall, the narrow-SR showed greater EMG amplitude of the latissimus dorsi in both phases (ES = 1.08), whereas the wide-SR elicited higher excitation for the upper trapezius (ES = 1.35 concentric; ES = 2.79 eccentric), middle trapezius (ES = 1.24; 1.44), lower trapezius (ES = 0.90; 0.71), lateral deltoid (ES = 1.03; 0.58), and erector spinae muscles during the eccentric phase only (ES = 0.65). During the concentric phase, the narrow-SR showed a more lateral centroid of the lateral deltoid (ES = 0.67). During the eccentric phase, the narrow-SR showed a more medial centroid of the middle trapezius (ES = 0.95) and the biceps brachii (ES = 0.90), whereas the centroid of the posterior deltoid (ES = 0.87) was more lateral. Additionally, the centroid was more caudal in the narrow-SR for the erector spinae (ES = 0.74). While the wide-SR appears more appropriate to emphasize the entire trapezius and lateral deltoid, the narrow-SR seems better suited for prioritizing the latissimus dorsi. Whereas these distinctions highlight the preferential excitation of certain muscles, it is important to recognize that both multi-joint exercises recruit several muscle groups, and the specificity of one does not imply the absence, but rather a lesser involvement, of others.