Dorsal Neck Muscle Fatigue Affects Cervical Range of Motion and Proprioception in Adults with the Forward Head Posture

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study was to investigate the effect of dorsal neck muscle fatigue on the cervical range of motion (CROM) and proprioception in adults with the forward head posture (FHP). @*Methods@#Thirty pain-free subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects were measured the forward head angle by taking the capture of the sagittal plane of their upper body to determine the FHP. Subjects were distributed into two groups the FHP group (n=14) and Control group (n=16). All subjects were measured the CROM and the Head repositioning accuracy (HRA) for joint proprioception before and after inducing muscle fatigue of the dorsal neck. The CROM and HRA were measured in neck flexion, extension, right-left lateral flexion, and right-left rotation. Sorenson’s test was used to induce muscle fatigue of the dorsal neck. @*Results@#Total CROMs were significantly decreased after dorsal neck muscle fatigue in both groups (p0.05). Total CROM changes were not significant differences between groups (p>0.05), but total HRA changes were significant differences between groups (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#Immediate CROM and proprioception reduction after the dorsal neck muscle fatigue were observed in adults with the FHP. Therefore, FHP can significantly affect the CROM and positioning consistency of cervical proprioception.