Loading of cervical spine during isometric overhead exertions

摘要

In spite of a strong epidemiological evidence associating neck or cervical spine disorders with forceful arm exertions common at workplaces, effect of such exertions on the cervical spine loading is not clearly understood. In this study the electrical activities of neck muscles measured using electromyography (EMG), biomechanical models of cervical spine and upper body, and double optimization procedure were used to quantify the loading of the cervical spine. Fifteen healthy participants performed the isometric overhead lifting task. The results of this study demonstrate that the neck muscles support shoulder during overhead lifting activities and exert forces causing loading of the cervical spine.