Variation of Neck Muscle Strength Along the Human Cervical Spine

Abstract Background Neck pain has been associated with weaker neck muscle strength and decreased cervical spine range of motion. However, whether neck muscle strength or cervical spine mobility predict later neck disability has not been demonstrated. In this 16-year prospective study, we investigated whether neck muscle strength and cervical spine mobility are associated with future neck pain and related disability in women pain-free at baseline. Methods Maximal isometric neck muscle strength and passive range of motion (PROM) of the cervical spine of 220 women (mean age 40, standard deviation (SD) 12 years) were measured at baseline between 2000 and 2002. We conducted a postal survey 16 years later to determine whether any subjects had experienced neck pain and related disability. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age and body mass index was used to determine to what extent baseline neck strength and PROM values were associated with future neck pain and related disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results The regression analysis Beta coefficient remained below 0.1 for all the neck strength and PROM values, indicating no association between neck pain and related disability. Of the 149 (68%) responders, mean NDI was lowest (3.3, SD 3.8) in participants who had experienced no neck pain (n = 50), second lowest (7.7, SD 7.1) in those who had experienced occasional neck pain (n = 94), and highest (19.6, SD 22.0) in those who had experienced chronic neck pain (n = 5). Conclusions This 16-year prospective study found no evidence for an association between either neck muscle strength or mobility and the occurrence in later life of neck pain and disability. Therefore, screening healthy subjects for weaker neck muscle strength or poorer cervical spine mobility cannot be recommended for preventive purposes.

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Efficacy of Cervical Spine Muscle Strength Training in the Prevention of Cervical Spine Injuries in Hockey Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

International Journal of Strength and Conditioning ◽

10.47206/ijsc.v1i1.26 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Costa

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Keywords Cervical Spine ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Spine Injuries

Abstract Limited review of cervical spine injuries within the sport of ice hockey exist in the published world. Therefore, this paper sets out to locate, define, and critically appraise the topic to determine the frequency, severity, and possible interventions for the prevention and rehabilitation of cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. A call to action is advised to accurately track these injuries in order to better assist with the creation of a standardized protocol for treatment and reconditioning designed to assist strength and conditioning professionals in the reconditioning of athletes. Sufficient evidence supported the prevalence of cervical spine injuries in the sport of hockey. muscle strength and rigidity had little to no effect on the resistance of head impact acceleration.4 Regardless of linear velocity and peak angular velocity changes amongst individuals with varying isometric muscle strength of the cervical muscle, cervical spine injuries appear to be unrelated.8 The continued documentation of cervical spine injuries in hockey is necessary to gain a clearer understanding of the current prevalence of this specific injury. It appears that cervical spine injuries are less prevalent at the professional and international levels. This could potentially be attributed to a greater respect for athletic competition, as well as significant improvements of motor function and control exhibited by professional hockey players. Improving physiological performance appears to have little to no effect on cervical spine injuries.7,8,9 Unfortunately, little to no evidence currently exists, regarding the optimization of kinetic and kinematic actions within the cervical spine structure by way of improving muscle function, hypertrophy, or neuromuscular efficiency. Keywords: cervical spine injuries in hockey, neck injuries in the hockey, non-concussion-based spine injuries in hockey, neck strength, neck muscle activation, head kinematics

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An update of neck muscle strength: From isometric to isokinetic assessment

Isokinetics and Exercise Science ◽

10.3233/ies-2003-0113 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pierre Portero ◽

Valérie Genriès

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Neck Muscle

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Study on the Effect of Cervical Spine Somatosensory Games of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality on Relieving Neck Muscle Fatigue

Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management. Posture, Motion and Health - Lecture Notes in Computer Science ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-49904-4_27 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 359-375

Author(s):

Zishan Song ◽

Ting Han ◽

Dian Zhu ◽

Yufei Xie ◽

Hanyue Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Augmented Reality ◽

Muscle Fatigue ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Neck Muscle Fatigue

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Decreased neck muscle strength is highly associated with pain in cervical dystonia patients treated with botulinum toxin injections11No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1016/j.apmr.2003.12.039 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 85 (10) ◽

pp. 1684-1688 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Arja Häkkinen ◽

Jari Ylinen ◽

Mira Rinta-Keturi ◽

Ulla Talvitie ◽

Hannu Kautiainen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Botulinum Toxin ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Cervical Dystonia ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Financial Interest

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Reflexive Response of Neck Muscle to Sudden Perturbation after Prolonged Smartphone Use

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 1250-1253

Author(s):

Eunjee Kim ◽

Donghyun Song ◽

Dasom Park ◽

Hyorim Kim ◽

Gwanseob Shin

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Spinal Stability ◽

Delayed Onset ◽

Activation Level ◽

Before And After ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Head Stability ◽

Passive Stretch

Prolonged smartphone use induces passive stretch of neck tissues and muscle fatigue, affecting spinal stability and pain. It is necessary to evaluate the effect of smartphone use on the reflexive response to detect the changes in neck tissues and head stability. A laboratory experiment (n=10) was conducted to investigate the reflexive response of neck muscle to perturbation after 30 minutes of smartphone use. Neck extensor muscle activation and its activation timing to perturbation were investigated before and after smartphone use. Head angle and muscle activation level were collected during smartphone use. During smartphone use, muscle activation gradually increased. After smartphone use, neck muscles showed a higher activation level and significantly delayed onset to perturbation. Smartphone use changed the reflexive response of the neck muscle. Further study is needed to investigate the association between smartphone use and neuromuscular changes to the tissues of the cervical spine.

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