Journals Information
International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 13(1), pp. 190 - 201
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130121
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An Electromyographic Comparative Study of Cervical Spine Musculature Activity in Young Adults with and without Neck Pain
Kinjal Bagthariya 1,2,*, Ashish Kakkad 1
1 Faculty of Physiotherapy, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
2 Shri K. K. Sheth Physiotherapy College, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most common orthopedic and neuromuscular disorders worldwide is neck pain. Neck pain impacts musculature contractions in several ways limiting functional capacities. Examining cervical musculature by electromyography (EMG) in individuals with neck pain is clinically significant as EMG offers important insights into the functional activity and coordination of cervical muscles, aiding in the identification of specific muscle imbalances, exhaustion patterns, or neuromuscular dysfunctions linked to neck pain. Aim: The study intended to evaluate and compare the Electromyography (EMG) activity of neck-cervical spine musculature with Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) in young individuals with and without neck pain. Methodology: The 200 young adults aged between 20 to 30 years with and without neck pain who fulfilled the criteria of selection were selected for the study. After acquiring written and informed consent, all participants were given a detailed description of the study's purpose and demonstrated the process of recording muscular activity. After familiarization, the participants were instructed to perform MVIC in each direction. The highest rate of the amplitude of MVIC was taken as the final amplitude for analysis. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of Data was conducted with SPSS 26.0 software. Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to assess normality. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed between MVIC of Persons with and without Neck Pain as data were non-parametric. Results: The results revealed significant differences in MVIC values of all cervical extensors (p<0.05), side-flexors (p<0.05) along with Platysma (p<0.05) but no significant difference in sternocleidomastoids (p>0.05). Conclusions: The study concluded that superficial cervical spine musculature including cervical flexors (except platysma), extensors, and side-flexors shows a reduction in MVIC capacities with neck pain and definitive of weakness in all the superficial cervical musculatures in individuals suffering from subacute-to-chronic-neck-pain compared to asymptomatic individuals. The conclusion alerts physiotherapists to address the neck musculature in young adults with neck pain to prevent various neck pathologies. Comprehending the distinct roles of superficial musculature in addition to deep musculature of the cervical spine region can improve assessment and treatment techniques with targeted interventions leading to more efficient rehabilitation programs.
KEYWORDS
Cervical Musculature, Electromyography, EMG, Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Kinjal Bagthariya , Ashish Kakkad , "An Electromyographic Comparative Study of Cervical Spine Musculature Activity in Young Adults with and without Neck Pain," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 190 - 201, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130121.
(b). APA Format:
Kinjal Bagthariya , Ashish Kakkad (2025). An Electromyographic Comparative Study of Cervical Spine Musculature Activity in Young Adults with and without Neck Pain. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(1), 190 - 201. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130121.