Changes in muscular strength based on full cervical flexion

Larisa Beilina,Imants Kalnins,Vladimir Sklarevich,Vladislavs Kotovs,Silvija Umbrasko,Gregory Anoufriev,Janis Vetra,U Berkis,L Vilka

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20185102014

Abstract

We present our study of influence full cervical flexion position on the changes in muscle strength of the upper extremities. This position is typical for a person working on mobile phone or iPad. The purpose of the study was determination of the connection between change of the head flexed position and changes in upper extremity muscles strength. The present study involved 80 healthy volunteers and was performed at the Department of Morphology in Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. For measurements we have used the MicroFET2 Hand Held Digital Muscle Tester to determine the strength of the muscles of the hand and arm (M. abductor pollicis longus, M. biceps brachii, M. triceps brachii, M. deltoideus). The results of measurements were then used to analyze the difference in the strength of the muscles innervated by the spinal cord cervical region (C5–C8 nerves) for the same person sitting in the vertical position and sitting with the head flexed maximally. The results of our study support the hypothesis that the changes in the strength of measured muscles are related to the mechanical distension of the spinal cord, which leads to changes in spinal cord's blood supply. The kyphotic position of the cervical spine during head flexion shows that in the spinal cord segments C5 and C7 are formed mechanical distension. Using our statistical study, we can conclude that there is strong relationship in the strength change in some of the observed muscles between vertical position and full flexion of head

Highlights

The concept “text neck” is used to describe a set of health problems resulting from long-term holding head in a forward bending position, acting with smartphones, tablets or other type of electronic communication devices.The most typical manifestations are pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulder, and a tingling sensation in the hands
Overload causes degenerative changes in bone and cartilage, and over a long period it results in narrowing of intervertebral opening or disc hernia, which can lead to spinal nerve or nerve root irritation with following pain, muscle tension, tingling sensation in hands and other sensory disorders [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Our earlier study we found statistically significant differences between the muscle strength of the spine in vertical position and the head 30 degrees flexion position for 3 of 4 pair of tested muscles (M. biceps brachii, M. triceps brachii, M. deltoideus) [8]

Summary

Introduction

The concept “text neck” is used to describe a set of health problems resulting from long-term holding head in a forward bending position, acting with smartphones, tablets or other type of electronic communication devices.The most typical manifestations are pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulder, and a tingling sensation in the hands. More severe cases can result in heart, brain blood supply and blood pressure problems. It is widely studied and frequently reminded – bending the head forward causes an additional load to vertebral joints and intervertebral disks. Overload causes degenerative changes in bone and cartilage, and over a long period it results in narrowing of intervertebral opening or disc hernia, which can lead to spinal nerve or nerve root irritation with following pain, muscle tension, tingling sensation in hands and other sensory disorders [1,2,3,4,5,6]. C The Authors, published by EDP Sciences

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