Core muscle activation during dynamic upper limb exercises in women.

Although several everyday functions and sporting activities demand controlled use of the abdominal and back muscles while working with the upper limbs, the activity of core muscles during dynamic upper limb exercises in the standing position has not been studied extensively. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine abdominal and back muscle activity during dynamic upper limb exercises while standing and to evaluate whether dynamic exercises are appropriate for strengthening muscles. The activation of the rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis, longissimus, and multifidus muscles during dynamic bilateral or unilateral shoulder exercises with or without fixation of the pelvis was measured in 20 healthy women using surface electromyography.

Effect of neck strength training on health-related quality of life in females with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled 1-year follow-up study.

Background: Chronic neck pain is a common condition associated not only with a decrease in neck muscle strength, but also with decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While neck strength training has been shown to be effective in improving neck muscle strength and reducing neck pain, HRQoL among patients with neck pain has been reported as an outcome in only two short-term exercise intervention studies. Thus, reports on the influence of a long-term neck strength training intervention on HRQoL among patients with chronic neck pain have been lacking.

Comparison of active, manual, and instrumental straight leg raise in measuring hamstring extensibility.

The active manual straight leg raise (ASLR) and passive manual straight leg raise (MSLR) tests are commonly used in clinical settings to assess hamstring tightness. However, to our knowledge, the validity and sensitivity of these tests have not been compared with the instrumental straight leg raise (ISLR). The aim of the present study was to assess the intrarater reproducibility of the ISLR and compare the sensitivity of the ASLR, MSLR, and ISLR to change.

Quantifying the effect of age on passive range of motion of the cervical spine in healthy working-age women.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To assess age-related changes and determine reference values for passive range of motion of the cervical spine in healthy women of working age.

Background: Although cervical mobility is age dependent, the amount in which aging affects passive range of motion has not been previously reported.

Effect of isometric upper-extremity exercises on the activation of core stabilizing muscles.

Objective: To evaluate whether isometric exercises for the upper extremities could sufficiently activate core stabilizing muscles to increase muscle strength.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at a Finnish hospital.

Force production and EMG activity of neck muscles in adolescent headache.

Purpose: This study compared the maximal force, EMG/force ratio and co-activation characteristics of the neck-shoulder muscles between 30 adolescents with migraine-type headache, 29 with tension-type headache, and 30 headache-free controls.

Method: Force was measured with surface electromyography (EMG) from the cervical erector spinae (CES), the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles during the maximal isometric neck flexion, neck extension and shoulder flexion.

Results: Girls with migraine-type headache had higher EMG/force ratios between the EMG of the left agonist SCM muscle and the corresponding maximal neck flexion (p = 0.

Repeatability of electromyography and force measurements of the neck muscles in adolescents with and without headache.

Background: Reliable measurements are needed to study the dysfunction of the neck muscles. The aim of this study was to determine the intra-tester repeatability of EMG and isometric force measurements of the neck muscles in adolescents with headache and headache-free controls.

Methods: A group of 30 adolescents with migraine-type headache, 29 with tension-type headache, and 30 headache-free controls were recruited.

Isometric strength of the cervical flexor, extensor, and rotator muscles in 220 healthy females aged 20 to 59 years.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Objectives: To determine the maximal isometric strength of the flexor, extensor, and rotator muscles of the cervical spine in healthy females of working age to document reference values for diagnostic and rehabilitation purposes.

Background: Reference values for the isometric strength of the cervical muscles have often been based on small samples.

Effects of twelve-month strength training subsequent to twelve-month stretching exercise in treatment of chronic neck pain.

Previously, in a randomized study, we showed that women with chronic neck pain were able to perform intensive training for neck and shoulder muscles and that the increase in strength was accompanied by a reduction in pain and disability. The changes were significantly greater in the training groups compared with controls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the controls would achieve similar results.

Effects of neck muscle training in women with chronic neck pain: one-year follow-up study.

Exercises are commonly recommended for chronic neck pain, but evidence-based guidelines do not explain what types of exercise. The aim of this randomized study was to evaluate the rate of change in neck strength following high- and low-intensity neck muscle training and their effects on pain and disability. One hundred eighty women with chronic neck pain were randomized into a high-intensity strength training group (STG), local muscle endurance training group (ETG), or control group (CG).

Effect of training in Greco-Roman wrestling on neck strength at the elite level.

Special training methods in wrestling have been assumed to improve the stability and tolerance of the neck. The aim of this study was to measure the neck strength levels reached in an extremely physically demanding sport. A neck strength measurement system was used to measure various parameters of maximal isometric neck strength in Finnish senior wrestlers competing at the international level.

Decreased strength and mobility in patients after anterior cervical diskectomy compared with healthy subjects.

Objective: To evaluate whether patients acquired normal physical function after cervical disk prolapse and surgery compared with healthy matched controls.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Hospital in central Finland.