Head and Neck Position Does Not Influence Maximum Static Elbow Extension Force Measured in Healthy Individuals Tested While Prone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether head and neck (HN) position affects elbow extension force. The subjects included 30 healthy men and women between the ages of 21 and 55. Maximum static elbow extension force was tested with a hand-held dynamometer. Four randomly sequenced elbow extension trials were recorded with the subject in the prone position, two with the HN turned toward and two with the HN turned away from the randomly selected test upper extremity. Elbow extensor force did not differ significantly (p = 0.247) with respect to HN position. Therefore, consideration of HN position when testing elbow extensor force is unnecessary while examining subjects whose upper extremities are not affected by neurologic dysfunction.