A Study on The Effectiveness of Shoulder Strengthening Exercises on Thickness of The Neck Extensor Muscles

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Lecturer, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding author) arezasoltani@yahoo.com

3 Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 MSc in Biostatistics, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Shahid beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Neck extensor muscles play an important role in stabilizing the cervical spine. Upper limbs muscle activities may increase cervical extensor muscles function. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in neck extensor muscles thickness after a shoulder-abduction strengthening exercise program.
 
Methods & Materials: In this study participants were 28 healthy women (age 20-25 years of old) who were randomly assigned to a shoulder-abduction strengthening exercise group (n=14) and control group (n=14). Intervention period in both groups was 10 weeks. The thickness of five cervical muscles including upper trapezius, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis and multifidus muscles was measured by ultrasonography.
 
Results: Shoulder-abduction strengthening exercise program lead to significant increase in thickness of the neck extensor muscles (p<0.001).Semispinalis capitis muscle showed the greatest increase in muscle thickness among the extensor muscles.
 
Conclusion: Upper limbs muscle training as was used in this study plays an important role in increasing neck posterior muscles thickness. It is recommended to use this kind of training to improve the function of neck extensor muscles.

Keywords

References

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
March and April 2013
Pages 7-13

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 August 2012
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2012
  • Accept Date: 29 December 2012
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2013

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