title: Comparison of isometric force of the craniocervical flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without forward head posture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The stability of the craniocervical (CC) area is provided by CC muscles. Muscle imbalance between forces of these muscles may lead to forward head posture (FHP). FHP is one of the most prevalent abnormal postures in patients with neck pain. The aim of the present study was to compare isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without FHP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles was measured by a custom-made device and compared between 70 women with and without FHP (35 in each group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles, but the ratio of the isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) revealed significant difference between the two groups, and it was greater in the control group compared with that in the FHP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ratio of isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) may be a good indicator for assessment of patients with FHP. This ratio may also be valuable to follow the results of therapeutic intervention for these patients.
authors.affiliation: a Students' Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Fateme
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bokaee
authors.affiliation: b Physiotherapy Research Centre, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezasoltani
authors.affiliation: c Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Farideh Dehghan
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Manshadi
authors.affiliation: c Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh Sadat
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Naimi
authors.affiliation: d Proteomics Research Centre, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza Akbarzadeh
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Baghban
authors.affiliation: e English Language Teaching Department, School of Medicine , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Azimi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Craniocervical; Force; Forward head; Isometric; Muscle; Posture; Spine