The Comparative Evaluation of the Neck and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Females and Males ‎with and without Forward Head Posture

The alignment of the spine can alter the loading of spinal cord segments at different parts. Forward head posture by altering the position of the neck in relation to the body is effective in producing pain and disability in the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to explore the reliability analysis of the neck and trunk endurance tests in peoples with and without forward head posture and also to evaluate the effect of gender and forward head posture on neck and trunk muscle endurance.

In this descriptive-analytic study, 67 students, including 40 males (mean age 23±1.5 years, mean height 173.6±16 cm, mean weight 69.13±8.69 kg) and 27 females (mean age 23.29±3.31 years, mean height 162.65±5.29 cm and mean weight 59.45±7.04 kg) were randomly assigned to the study and divided into two groups of with and without forward head posture based on craniovertebral angle measured through photography. Deep neck flexor and extension, transverse abdominis, flexors, extensors, and lateral flexor trunk muscles' endurance were assessed in females and males in a test-retest reliability design with one-week interval.

Neck and trunk endurance test were obtained excellent reliability (0.93-0.99). The interaction between forward head posture and gender was significant for the double prone straight leg raise endurance test (P<0.05). It means that the endurance of lower trunk extensor muscles were lower in males with forward head posture (P<0.05; difference=20.28), but no difference was observed in females (P>0.05). The effect of forward head posture was also significant in the Sorenson endurance test (P<0.05). The neck and trunk muscles endurance generally and significantly were lower in females compared to males (P<0.05; difference=9.37-176.68).

Gender is an important factor in the presence of forward head posture affecting trunk muscle endurance. In examining the complications of forward head posture, it is advisable to pay attention to the function of the whole spinal cord.