title: Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare myoelectric manifestation in neck muscle endurance and fatigue characteristics during sub-maximal isometric endurance test in patients with cervical radiculopathy and asymptomatic subjects. An additional aim was to explore associations between primary neck muscle endurance, myoelectric fatigability, and self-rated levels of fatigue, pain and subjective health measurements in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscle fatigue in the ventral and dorsal neck muscles was assessed in patients with cervical radiculopathy and in an asymptomatic group during an isometric neck muscle endurance test in prone and supine. 46 patients and 34 asymptomatic subjects participated. Surface electromyography signals were recorded from the sternocleidomastoid, cervical paraspinal muscles and upper and middle trapezius bilaterally during the endurance test. Subjective health measurements were assessed with questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed altered neck muscle endurance in several of the muscles investigated with greater negative median frequency slope, greater variability, side imbalance, lower endurance time and higher experience of fatigue among the cervical radiculopathy patients compared with healthy subjects. Endurance times were significantly lower in both prone and in supine positions between the patients compared to asymptomatic subjects. During the neck muscle endurance test, fatigues in the upper trapezius muscles during the prone test and in the sternocleidomastoid muscles during the supine test were of more importance than self-perceived pain, fatigue, disability and kinesiophobia in predicting neck muscle endurance (NME).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NME testing in the primary neck muscles seems to be an important factor to take into consideration in rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, R1:07, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden, marie.halvorsen@karolinska.se.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peolsson
authors.forename: Åsa
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Dedering
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D057566:Self Report