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Functional Capacity Profile of the Cervical Joint in Young Adults: Sex-Related Differences
- Source :
- Applied Sciences, Vol 13, Iss 20, p 11326 (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2023.
-
Abstract
- The functional capacity of the cervical spine plays a central role in healthy living. The aim of this study was to examine the sex-related effect on cervical strength, range of motion (ROM), and the musculoskeletal pain profile in young physically active individuals. A total of 30 males and 30 females (21.53 ± 1.15 years old), without injury or chronic pain at the cervical joint, participated in the study. ROM (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion-rotation), maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion), and musculoskeletal pain were assessed using an electronic goniometer, a handheld dynamometer, and the Nordic questionnaire, respectively. The results revealed that: (a) females had higher ROM during extension and lateral flexion than males (p < 0.05); (b) males had higher absolute strength than females in all movement directions, and higher relative strength/body mass (at forward flexion) and flexion/extension ratio (p < 0.05); (c) ROM and strength were not significantly different between right and left sides (p > 0.05); (d) a large proportion (43.3%) of the participants had cervical pain; and (e) cervical strength showed a significant small negative correlation with pains (p < 0.05; r = −0.225 to −0.345). In conclusion, the derived reference values may be used by health and fitness professionals to extensively evaluate the cervical spine and to design specific exercise programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20763417
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 20
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Applied Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.fc810d69e7649a3a1fbf03cd37995fc
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011326