Functional assessment of the cervical spine in F-16 pilots with and without neck pain.
BACKGROUND
Spinal symptoms in fighter pilots are a serious aeromedical problem. The most common neck complaints are muscular pain and strain. The aim of the current study was to determine possible differences in the cervical range of motion (CROM), neck position sense, and neck muscle strength between pilots with and without neck pain.


METHODS
There were 90 male F-16 pilots who volunteered, of which 17 had experienced bilateral neck pain. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect personal information. The maximum isometric neck flexion/extension and lateral flexion strength, the neck position sense, and the cervical range of motion were measured.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between healthy pilots and those with neck pain concerning neck muscle strength and neck position sense. The neck pain group had a limited CROM in the sagittal plane (130 degrees; CI: 116 degrees-144 degrees) and in the transversal plane (155 degrees; CI: 140 degrees-170 degrees) compared to the healthy pilots.


CONCLUSIONS
In the current study we screened for different motor skills so that deficits could be detected and retraining programs could be implemented when necessary. According to our results, individual retraining programs might reduce neck pain and therefore a well-instructed training program to maintain a proper active CROM should be implemented. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of this kind of program.
De Loose
Veerle
V
Medical Component, Belgian Defense, Military Hospital of Base Queen Astrid, Brussels, Belgium.
Van den Oord
Mariek
M
Burnotte
Frédéric
F
Van Tiggelen
Damien
D
Stevens
Veerle
V
Cagnie
Barbara
B
Danneels
Lieven
L
Witvrouw
Erik
E
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011434:Proprioception; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular