PURPOSE:

To investigate the effect of cervical muscle Fatigue on neck proprioception and postural stability during cervical flexion.

BACKGROUND:

Postural stability is the ability to maintain the body in equilibrium either at rest or in a steady state of motion . Muscle fatigue is the diminished response of muscle to repeated stimulus. Cervical proprioceptive inputs provide important somatosensory information influencing postural stability. Hence, the investigators performed this study to evaluate the effect of experimentally induced fatigue on general cervical musculature on postural stability .

HYPOTHESES:

This study will hypnotize that:

1. Cervical flexor muscle fatigue will have a significant effect on neck proprioception
2. Cervical muscle fatigue will have a significant effect on posture stability

RESEARCH QUESTION:

Will fatigue of cervical flexors have an effect on neck proprioception and postural stability?

the research methodology that will be used

Induction of fatigue using isometric neck flexor muscle endurance test (NET):

An isometric neck muscle endurance test (NME test) will be performed for the deep neck flexors (Rectus Capitus Anterior, Rectus Capitus Lateralis, Longus Capitus, Longus Colli) until exhaustion in all participants occurs. With the subject in hook lying position through CHIN RETRACTION AND HEAD ELEVATED FROM THE COUCH.

All the assessment measurements will be done before and just immediately after performing the cervical muscle fatigue then after 15 minutes of fatigue induction(fatigue recovery) A. Measurement of neck proprioception using cervical joint position error test via OVERHEAD LASER POINTER

B. Measurement of postural stability using :

1. Biodex balance system(limit of stability) to measure postural stability
2. Multi-Directional Reach Test

Inclusion Criteria:

• having cervical range of motion 80 to 90 of flextion, 70 degree of extension, 20 to 45 degrees if lateral flextion, and 80 to 90 rotation to both sides.
• having normaluscle test strength for cervical neck flexors according to group manual muscle test
• body mass index ranging from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• any history of pathological truma to the cervical,thoracic or lumbar spine, upper extremity or rib cage.
• surgical condition of the spine
• having any orthopedic, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders around cervical region.
• any vestibular impairment (e.g.vertigo)
• spinal postural deformities as hyper kyphosis &scoliosis

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