Batatolis, C.; Karatrantou, K.; Gymnopoulos, V.; Gerodimos, V. Functional Capacity Profile of the Cervical Joint in Young Adults: Sex-Related Differences. Appl. Sci.2023, 13, 11326.
Batatolis, C.; Karatrantou, K.; Gymnopoulos, V.; Gerodimos, V. Functional Capacity Profile of the Cervical Joint in Young Adults: Sex-Related Differences. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 11326.
Batatolis, C.; Karatrantou, K.; Gymnopoulos, V.; Gerodimos, V. Functional Capacity Profile of the Cervical Joint in Young Adults: Sex-Related Differences. Appl. Sci.2023, 13, 11326.
Batatolis, C.; Karatrantou, K.; Gymnopoulos, V.; Gerodimos, V. Functional Capacity Profile of the Cervical Joint in Young Adults: Sex-Related Differences. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 11326.
Abstract
The functional capacity of the cervical spine plays a central role in healthy living. This study evaluated and created a comprehensive strength, range of motion (ROM), and musculoskeletal pain profile of the cervical spine in young adults. 60 physically active individuals (30 males/30 females; 19-24 year-old) participated in the study. Cervical ROM (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion), and musculoskeletal pains were assessed using an electronic goniometer, a handheld dynamometer, and the Nordic questionnaire, respectively. Data analysis revealed that: a) fe-males had higher ROM values, during extension and lateral flexion, than males (p<0.05), b) males had higher absolute strength values than females in all movement directions, higher rela-tive strength values/body mass (at forward flexion) and flexion/extension ratio values (p<0.05), c) ROM and strength values were not significantly different between right-left sides (p>0.05), d) a great proportion (43.3%) of the participants had cervical pains (no sex-related differences) and e) cervical strength showed significant small negative correlation with pains (p<0.05; r=-0.225 to -0.345). The reference values created may be used by health and fitness professionals to exten-sively evaluate the cervical spine and to design specific exercise programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Public Health and Healthcare, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
