TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effects of Forward Head Posture on Neck Extensor Muscle Thickness
T2 - An Ultrasonographic Study
AU - Goodarzi, Fereshte
AU - Rahnama, Leila
AU - Karimi, Noureddin
AU - Baghi, Raziyeh
AU - Jaberzadeh, Shapour
PY - 2018/1
Y1 - 2018/1
N2 - Objective: This study aimed to compare neck extensor muscle thickness, thickness changes, and strength between participants with forward head posture (FHP) and controls with normal head posture (NHP). Methods: Twenty college students with FHP (mean age 21.30 ± 2.36 years) and 20 students with NHP (mean age 21.85 ± 2.78 years) participated in this case-control study. The thickness of neck extensor muscles was measured at rest and at maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). In addition, the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was calculated. To compare thickness changes between the 2 groups and among 5 muscles, a 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance was applied. In addition, Pearson's correlation test was performed to investigate the relationship between neck extensor MVIC and CVA. Results: The FHP group demonstrated lower MVIC compared with the NHP group (P = .03). Semispinalis capitis showed the smallest thickness changes during neck extensor MVIC in FHP compared with the controls (P < .001). However, no significant difference in terms of muscle thickness was observed between the 2 groups at the state of rest (P = .16-.99). A positive association was also found between the MVIC and CVA (P = .02). Conclusions: Semispinalis capitis had less thickness changes during MVIC of neck extensors in individuals with FHP compared with those with NHP. This indirectly implies lower activity of this muscle in FHP condition. This study finding may help researchers develop therapeutic exercise protocols to manage FHP.
AB - Objective: This study aimed to compare neck extensor muscle thickness, thickness changes, and strength between participants with forward head posture (FHP) and controls with normal head posture (NHP). Methods: Twenty college students with FHP (mean age 21.30 ± 2.36 years) and 20 students with NHP (mean age 21.85 ± 2.78 years) participated in this case-control study. The thickness of neck extensor muscles was measured at rest and at maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). In addition, the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was calculated. To compare thickness changes between the 2 groups and among 5 muscles, a 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance was applied. In addition, Pearson's correlation test was performed to investigate the relationship between neck extensor MVIC and CVA. Results: The FHP group demonstrated lower MVIC compared with the NHP group (P = .03). Semispinalis capitis showed the smallest thickness changes during neck extensor MVIC in FHP compared with the controls (P < .001). However, no significant difference in terms of muscle thickness was observed between the 2 groups at the state of rest (P = .16-.99). A positive association was also found between the MVIC and CVA (P = .02). Conclusions: Semispinalis capitis had less thickness changes during MVIC of neck extensors in individuals with FHP compared with those with NHP. This indirectly implies lower activity of this muscle in FHP condition. This study finding may help researchers develop therapeutic exercise protocols to manage FHP.
KW - Muscle Contraction
KW - Muscle Strength
KW - Neck Muscles
KW - Posture
KW - Ultrasonography
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85039068857&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.07.012
DO - 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.07.012
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85039068857
VL - 41
SP - 34
EP - 41
JO - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
JF - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
SN - 0161-4754
IS - 1
ER -