The Effects of Arm Ergometer Endurance Training and High-intensity Interval Training in Chronic Neck Pain

The Effects of Arm Ergometer Endurance Training and High-intensity Interval Training on Respiratory Parameters, Musculoskeletal System, and Clinical Symptoms in Chronic Neck Pain

Neck pain is among the causes of morbidity that causes disability. Although it is not life-threatening, neck pain is one of the most important reasons for a decrease in the workforce. Since there is a close anatomical, musculoskeletal and neural connection between the cervical region and the thoracic spine, neck pain can affect respiratory functions by causing biomechanical changes in the thoracic spine and rib cage. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and high-intensity interval training, which are known to have an effect on both the musculoskeletal system and respiratory functions, on the respiratory parameters and musculoskeletal system disorders and clinical outcomes of people with neck pain when applied with an arm ergometer.

Patients will be divided into 3 groups as randomized controlled. Aerobic exercise will be applied to the first group and HIIT to the second group. The third group will be the control group.

The patients in the first group will be applied an aerobic exercise program with an arm ergometer. Peak workload will be determined by performing an exercise test with an arm ergometer and training will be given for 60-70% of the peak workload for 45 minutes with arm ergometer 3 days a week for 8 weeks.

HIIT with arm ergometer will be applied to the patients in the second group. Peak workload will be determined by performing an exercise test with an arm ergometer, and HIIT will be performed with an arm ergometer for 45 minutes in total, 90-95% of peak workload for 30 seconds, 60 seconds in between, active recovery at 40-50% workload. After the patients receive training for 8 weeks, 3 times a week, post-treatment evaluations will be made.

Only evaluations will be made twice, with an interval of 8 weeks, for the patients in the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients between the ages of 18-55,
• Having neck pain for more than 3 months,
• Having neck pain ≥3 cm in a 10 cm VAS and
• Patients with non-specific neck pain who score > 10/50 on the Neck Disability Index will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women,
• Smokers,
• BMI>40
• Those with any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease,
• Those who cannot exercise due to any medical condition,
• Those who have received physical therapy for neck pain in the last 6 months,
• Red flag (malignancy, spinal fracture, etc.),
• Spinal fracture,
• Shoulder fracture,
• Shoulder subluxation,
• Cervical or shoulder surgery,
• Migraine,
• Rheumatological diseases,
• Those with cervical root compression syndrome,
• Those with neurological/inflammatory spinal pathology,
• Those with chronic whiplash and traumatic neck injury,
• Persons with <24 points on the mini-mental test.