Survey of neck posture, mobility and muscle strength among schoolchildren

Autor: G. Ormos
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Manuelle Medizin. 54:156-162
ISSN: 1433-0466
0025-2514
DOI: 10.1007/s00337-016-0133-8
Popis: Degenerative diseases of the cervical spine have become a public health problem. In the etiology faulty neck posture and weakened neck muscles have been published. The objective of this study was to survey the neck posture, mobility and muscle strength among schoolchildren. The subjects were 428 schoolchildren aged 9, 12 and 16 years with equal proportions of girls and boys. Anthropometric data: body mass index (BMI) values were calculated and neck length was measured. Neck posture was characterized by three angles: craniovertebral (CVA), head tilt (HTA) and shoulder (SHA) angles. The range of movement was measured by a goniometer. Isometric neck muscle strength was measured by a dynamometer in five directions: flexion, extension, side bending on both sides and nodding. A group of the 12-year-olds, who were labeled as “weaks” on the basis of cluster analysis, took part in a 2‑month exercise training at the school. The BMI correlated to the neck muscle strength and was inversely proportional to mobility and the CVA values. Mobility was significantly reduced in the 16-year-old children compared to the 9 and 12-year-old children. The CVA values were found to be reduced between ages 9 and 16 years with the average of 8°, the SHA values higher with 13°, the HTA values with 1.3° higher. Muscle strength values in the different age groups were increased with age where the average value in the 9‑year-old age group was 96.65 N, in the 12-year-old age group 133.4 N and in the 16-year-old age group 141.25 N. No significant differences were found between the 12 and 16-year-old age groups. The neck muscle strengthening exercises at school resulted in 2 or 3 times higher muscle strength values and significantly higher CVA values but lower SHA and HTA values that showed the correction of neck posture. Neck posture deteriorated with age, i.e. the neck became more forwardly projected and the shoulders more protracted between the ages of 9 and 16 years. The neck mobility of the 16-year-olds was significantly reduced compared to 9 and 12 years old and the neck muscle strength, especially in nodding of the 16-year-olds was relatively reduced compared to younger ages. Strengthening exercises performed at schools resulted in a 2 to 3‑fold increase in muscle strength and significant correction in neck posture.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz: