Effect of dorsal neck muscle fatigue on cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sensibility

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that proprioceptive information plays an important role in cervical spine stabilization and that muscle fatigue may alter proprioceptive ability. Therefore, we investigated the effects of specific dorsal neck muscle fatigue on cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sensibility. Twenty-five asymptomatic young adults (age range 18-30 years) were recruited for the study. The subjects were measured for dorsal neck muscle strength (kg) with a digital dynamo-meter. The repositioning errors (degrees) were measured by two cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sensibility tests: the head-to-neutral head position repositioning and headto-target repositioning tests. The repositioning tests were performed in the sagittal, transverse and frontal planes. The subjects were then exposed to a dorsal neck muscles fatiguing exercise protocol, after which the dorsal neck muscle strength and repositioning errors were again measured. Dorsal neck muscle strength was significantly reduced and repositioning errors in the sagittal plane were significantly increased after the fatiguing protocol (p < 0.001). However, in terms of frontal and transverse plane movements, no difference in repositioning errors was found following the fatiguing protocol. Dorsal neck muscle fatigue alters cervical position sense in sagittal plane movements. Improving the strength of these muscles might play a vital role in maintaining cervical position sense.

Comparison and Association of Neck Extensor Muscles’ Endurance and Postural Function in Subjects with and without Chronic Neck Pain – A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These findings collectively suggest that postural control and neck endurance reflect distinct and independent neck extensor muscle function dimensions in subjects with CNP. The increased postural sway may be due to impaired kinaesthetic input from the cervical spine [14]. Different authors proved impaired cervical position sense in CNP patients [3,9].…”

“…Subjects with CNP demonstrated lower neck extensor endurance (NEE) compared to healthy controls [12,13]. Evidence indicates that neck extensor muscle fatigue can alter cervical proprioception [14]. Therefore, neck extensor muscle performance may be impaired by increased fatigability in subjects with CNP, which may contribute to altered postural control in individuals with this condition.…”

The effect of Kinesio taping on cervical proprioception in athletes with mechanical neck pain—a placebo-controlled trial

“…These improvements are perhaps that placebo tape also may have produced mechanical effects that could decrease pain. Considering that the application of Kinesio™ tape was improper, even though it was applied to the cervical muscles, it could have provided sensory feedback during neck movements, thereby decreasing mechanical irritation of soft tissues [34][35][36]. There may be another explanation: a strong relationship between neck pain intensity and cervical proprioception in participants with neck pain [37], considering that increased pain intensity impairs cervical proprioception and vice versa.…”

Sensorimotor Control in Individuals With Idiopathic Neck Pain and Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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