Cervicothoracic spinal alignment and neck flexor muscle endurance in youngand older adult females with and without neck and shoulder pain (Katakoriin Japanese)

摘要

[Purpose] The characteristics of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) in different agepopulations have not been sufficiently examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study wasto compare and verify the cervicothoracic spinal alignment and neck flexor muscleendurance of young and older adult females with and without NSP. [Participants andMethods] We assessed 72 female participants (39 young participants, 33 elderlyparticipants, 43 NSP, 29 non-NSP) aged 18–82 years who were recruited for this study.Cervicothoracic spinal alignment measurements were obtained with forward head alignment(FHA) along with the upper thoracic angle. The neck flexor endurance test was performed.[Results] There were no significant age-by-group interactions for any of the assessmentvariables. However, the upper thoracic angle and neck flexor muscle endurance showedsignificant effects in the groups. Age also had significant effects on FHA and upperthoracic angle. [Conclusion] These results suggested that the neck flexor muscle endurancewas more appropriate as an evaluation tool for older adult females with NSP. It was alsosuggested that the cervical flexor muscle endurance and upper thoracic angle were moreappropriate as evaluation tools for young adult females with NSP.