title: Impact of Isometric Contraction of Anterior Cervical Muscles on Cervical Lordosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the impact of isometric contraction of anterior cervical muscles on cervical lordosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  29 volunteers were randomly assigned to an anterior head translation (n=15) or anterior head flexion (n=14) group. Resting neutral lateral cervical x-rays were compared to x-rays of sustained isometric contraction of the anterior cervical muscles producing anterior head translation or anterior head flexion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paired sample t-tests indicate no significant difference between pre and post anterior head translation or anterior head flexion. Analysis of variance suggests that gender and peak force were not associated with change in cervical lordosis. Chamberlain's to atlas plane line angle difference was significantly associated with cervical lordosis difference during anterior head translation (p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows no evidence that hypertonicity, as seen in muscle spasms, of the muscles responsible for anterior head translation and anterior head flexion have a significant impact on cervical lordosis.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Cumming, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Curtis A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fedorchuk
authors.affiliation: FVS Non-Profit, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Cumming, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Lightstone
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Cumming, GA, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bak
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacque
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kubricht
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Packer
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Peachtree City, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Dustin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Binongo
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008141:Lordosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anterior cervical muscles; anterior head flexion; anterior head translation; cervical biomechanics; forward head posture; hypertonicity; hypolordosis; muscle spasm; neutral lateral cervical radiograph