Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RC) is a common disorder of the shoulder and may be related to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors can be changes in scapular and glenohumeral kinematics that contribute to internal and external impact. Treatment through resistance exercises has been an excellent alternative for this disorder, and isometric exercises have been widely studied for the treatment of tendinopathies of the lower limbs. However, in MR tendinopathies, isometric exercises still need to be better clarified.

To evaluate the effects of a rehabilitation protocol of RC isometric exercises along with traditional shoulder exercises on patient-self-reported pain and function, muscle strength, and electromyographic activity in individuals with RC tendinopathy.

Eleven individuals (8 women and 3 men, 37.9±5.6 years) with RC tendinopathy performed isometric MR exercises in combination with stretching and strengthening of the scapular muscles for 6 weeks. The effects of the treatment were evaluated through pain and shoulder function self-reported by the patient, isometric muscle strength, electromyographic activity during arm elevation and internal and external shoulder rotation, and pain during arm elevation. The evaluations were performed before and at the end of the first session and after 6 weeks of intervention.

There was improvement in shoulder pain and function, increased isometric muscle strength for arm elevation and internal rotation, increased infraspinal and serratus anterior muscle activity, and reduced pain during arm elevation after 6 weeks of intervention.

This case report showed improvement in pain and function, increased shoulder isometric strength and electromyographic activity of the serratus anterior and infraspinal muscles, as well as decreased pain during arm elevation, after a 6-week intervention of RC isometric exercises associated with stretching and strengthening of scapular muscles in patients with RC tendinopathy.

This case report indicates that a protocol of RC isometric exercises in combination with stretching and strengthening of the scapular muscles may improve pain during arm elevation and shoulder isometric strength, as well as the EMG function and activity of the infraspinal and serratus anterior muscles in individuals with RC tendinopathy. no effects observed immediately after the intervention.