HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by O'Leary, S. P Articles by Jull, G. A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by O'Leary, S. P Articles by Jull, G. A

A New Method of Isometric Dynamometry for the Craniocervical Flexor Muscles

SP O'Leary, MPhty(Manip), BPhty(Hons), is a doctoral student at The University of Queensland
BT Vicenzino, PhD, MSc, GradDipPhty(Sports), BPhty, is Senior Lecturer, Division of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
GA Jull, PhD, MPhty, GradDipAdvManipTher, is Professor and Head, Division of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland

Address all correspondence to Mr O'Leary at Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072 Australia (s.oleary{at}shrs.uq.edu.au)

Background and Purpose. A new method of dynamometry has been developed to measure the performance of the craniocervical (CC) flexor muscles by recording the torque that these muscles exert on the cranium around the CC junction. This report describes the method, the specifications of the instrument, and the preliminary reliability data. Subjects and Methods. For the reliability study, 20 subjects (12 subjects with a history of neck pain, 8 subjects without a history of neck pain) performed, on 2 occasions, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) tests of CC flexion in 3 positions within the range of CC flexion and submaximal sustained tests (20% and 50% of MVIC) in the middle range of CC flexion (craniocervical neutral position). Reliability coefficients were calculated to establish the test-retest reliability of the measurements. Results. The method demonstrated good reliability over 2 sessions in the measurement of MVIC (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.79–.93, SEM=0.6–1.4 N·m) and in the measurement of steadiness (standard deviation of torque amplitude) of a sustained contraction at 20% of MVIC (ICC=.74–.80, SEM=0.01 N·m), but not at 50% of MVIC (ICC=.07–.76, SEM=0.04–0.13 N·m). Discussion and Conclusion. The new dynamometry method appears to have potential clinical application in the measurement of craniocervical flexor muscle performance.

Key Words: Craniocervical flexor muscles • Isometric dynamometry

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Cagnie, N. Dickx, I. Peeters, J. Tuytens, E. Achten, D. Cambier, and L. Danneels The use of functional MRI to evaluate cervical flexor activity during different cervical flexion exercises J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2008; 104(1): 230 - 235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]