Normative values of neck muscle strength in adult population of Delhi NCR region

Background: The neck pain is common problem in the adult population. Neck muscles have the potential to regulate the neck movement and to maintain its physiological functions and hence should have a quantitative value for strength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neck muscle strength which would be used as a reference in the analysis of neck pain. Further aim of this study was to analyze the effect of age, weight, height, gender, body mass index (BMI) on muscle strength. Methods: This study was an observational study conducted at physiotherapy department of I. T. S. Institute of Health and Allied Sciences from 23 September 2023 to 24 February 2024.The study comprised 1200 participants, both male and female, in the age group of 21 to 50 years old. Isometric strength measurements for several neck muscles were made using a handheld dynamometer after ethical approval. Normative strength values were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed to conclude the effect of age, weight, height, gender and BMI on neck muscle strength. Data analysis was calculated using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Males are at lower risk than females to develop neck pain as males are having more strength than females in all age groups. Weight and age were positively associated with muscle strength (p<0.5). Height and BMI showed no significant correlation to muscle strength (p>0.5). Conclusions: This research provides the normative ranges of neck muscle strength in the adult population that will serve as a baseline and aid in prevention, maintenance and treatment of neck pain. It provides the standard for the clinician to compare the muscle strength of different age groups and unaffected.