title: Normal values for cervical range of motion.
abstract: METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To generate normal values for active range of motion (ACROM) of the cervical spine in asymptomatic persons.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is a lack of normal values for ACROM based on large groups and stratified for different age categories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred asymptomatic persons were included, 100 for each decade of age from 20 years to 60 years and in each subgroup 50 males and 50 females. ACROM was measured with the cervical range of motion (CROM) device. Analysis of variance and the Scheffé post hoc test was used to investigate the differences of ACROM between the decades of age. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the influence of age and sex on ACROM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study show that the ACROM decreases significantly in persons older than 50 years for all directions except extension and side flexion compared with that in the subgroup aged 40 to 50. Age had an overall significant effect on the ACROM for all directions. Sex proved to have no significant effect on the ACROM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal values were established for ACROM in a group of 400 persons without neck complaints. It was demonstrated that age has a significant influence on the ACROM, but sex has no influence.
  
  
  METHODS
  N/A.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, the Netherlands †Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Centre of Research Autonomy and Participation for People with Chronic Illnesses, Heerlen, the Netherlands and ‡Centre for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Geldrop, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Raymond A H M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Swinkels
authors.forename: Ilse E J C M
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Swinkels-Meewisse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult