Abstract
Pain syndromes in the neck-shoulder region resulting in neck sprain after repetitive mechanical loads imposed on the neck and shoulders during car or sporting accidents do not appear to be an isolated phenomenon. These pathologies require a specific muscle assessment for the diagnosis and the management of patients.
Isometric muscle assessment is classically used, involving a maximal voluntary contraction performed at specified joint position against unyielding resistance. In spite of high reliability and reproducibility, this method does not allow the investigation of the dynamic properties of muscle. For this reason, an isokinetic method has become an increasingly popular modality in rehabilitative and sport medicine. Its concept has the advantage of providing a method of measuring strength during dynamic movements in a highly standardised situation.
Although trunk muscles have been widely explored by the isokinetic technique, the cervical spine has not received the benefit of isokinetic technological progress. Recently, a specific neck device has been designed and validated, permitting the first isokinetic approach of neck muscles in different healthy and sporting populations. This article examines the use of isometric neck muscle assessment and proposes the isokinetic method as a tool for assessing the cervical spine in exercise sciences, medicine, and rehabilitation.