Characterization of Neck Strength in Healthy Young Adults.
BACKGROUND
The role of cervical muscle (neck) strength in traumatic brain and spine injury and chronic neck pain disorders is an area of active research. Characterization of the normal ranges of neck strength in healthy young adults is essential to designing future investigations of how strength may act as a modifier for risk and progression in head and neck disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a normative reference database of neck strength in a healthy young adult population, and to evaluate the relationship of neck strength to anthropometric measurements.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
An academic medical center research institution.


METHODS
A total of 157 healthy young adults (18-35 years of age) had their neck strength measured with fixed frame dynamometry (FFD) during 1 visit to establish a normative neck strength database.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Peak and average strength of the neck muscles were measured in extension, forward flexion, and right and left lateral flexion using FFD. The ranges of peak and average neck strength were characterized and correlated with anthropometric characteristics.


RESULTS
In all, 157 subjects (84 male, 73 female; average age 27 years) were included in the normative sample. Neck strength ranged from 38 to 383 Newtons in men and from 15 to 223 Newtons in women. Normative data are provided for each gender in all 4 directions. Weight, body mass index, neck circumference, and estimated neck muscle volume were modestly correlated with neck strength in multiple directions (correlation coefficients < .4). In a multivariate regression model, weight in women and neck volume in men were significant predictors of neck strength.


CONCLUSIONS
Neck strength in healthy young adults exhibits a broad range, is significantly different in men from that in women, and correlates only modestly with anthropometric characteristics.


METHODS
Not applicable.
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(∗).
Eva
E
Catenaccio
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(†).
Weiya
W
Mu
Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New York, NY(‡).
Atira
A
Kaplan
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(§).
Roman
R
Fleysher
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(‖).
Namhee
N
Kim
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(¶).
Tamar
T
Bachrach
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(#).
Malka
M
Zughaft Sears
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(∗∗).
Oren
O
Jaspan
Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE(††).
Jaclyn
J
Caccese
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(‡‡).
Mimi
M
Kim
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(§§).
Mark
M
Wagshul
Sutter Health, Sacramento, CA(‖‖).
Walter F
WF
Stewart
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY(¶¶).
Richard B
RB
Lipton
Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, MRRC, Room 219C, Bronx, NY 10461(##). Electronic address: michael.lipton@einstein.yu.edu.
Michael L
ML
Lipton
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult