Activation of the semispinalis cervicis and splenius capitis with cervical pulley exercises

Rivard, Jim; Unsleber, Cindy; Schomacher, Jochen; Erlenwein, Joachim; Petzke, Frank; Falla, Deborah

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2017.05.007

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Simple neck-extension exercises with a weight hanging from a headband increased the normalized electromyography amplitude of both the semispinalis cervicis and splenius capitis. 29 Because those muscles are active during cervical rotation, the authors 29 recommended a weighted-pull exercise positioned slightly below the level of the headband. Both groups 28,29 used intramuscular electromyography to quantify muscle activation of the cervical-extensor muscles; however, for clinical use, USbased imaging could serve as an alternative for examining which exercise elicits the largest change in muscle thickness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…29 Because those muscles are active during cervical rotation, the authors 29 recommended a weighted-pull exercise positioned slightly below the level of the headband. Both groups 28,29 used intramuscular electromyography to quantify muscle activation of the cervical-extensor muscles; however, for clinical use, USbased imaging could serve as an alternative for examining which exercise elicits the largest change in muscle thickness. For example, in a study 9 of the acute effects of isometric contractions of the shoulder muscles in 6 directions (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation), increases were noted in cervical-extensor muscle thickness immediately after isometric contractions in shoulder abduction and external rotation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sex Differences in Ultrasound-Based Muscle Size and Mechanical Properties of the Cervical-Flexor and -Extensor Muscles

Nagai

Schilaty

Krause

et al. 2020

Journal of Athletic Training

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Context Neck pain (NP), neck injuries, and concussions are more prevalent in female athletes than in their male counterparts. Females exhibit less neck girth, strength, and stiffness against a perturbation. As part of the clinical examination for individuals with NP, ultrasound (US)–based imaging of the cervical muscles has become common. Muscle size or thickness and stiffness can be measured with US-based B-mode and shear-wave elastography (SWE), respectively. Information on reliability, normative values, and sex differences based on US-based muscle size or thickness and stiffness in young and athletic individuals is limited. Objective To evaluate sex differences in US-based muscle size or thickness and biomechanical properties of the cervical-flexor and -extensor muscles. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 13 women (age = 23.7 ± 1.9 years, height = 167.1 ± 6.1 cm, mass = 63.8 ± 5.6 kg) and 11 men (age = 25.6 ± 4.9 years, height = 178.7 ± 8.3 cm, mass = 78.9 ± 12.0 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s) The same examiner collected all measures, using US B-mode to scan the cross-sectional area and thickness of the longus colli (LC), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), cervical-extensor muscles, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle. The US SWE-mode was used to measure the stiffness of the SCM and UT. Independent t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were calculated to determine sex differences. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) measured intrarater test-retest reliability. Results Men had thicker SCMs than women (P = .01). No sex differences were present for longus colli cross-sectional area, cervical-extensor muscle thickness, or UT thickness (P > .05). In addition, no sex differences were evident for SCM (P = .302) or UT (P = .703) SWE stiffness. Reliability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.715–0.890) except for SCM SWE stiffness (ICC = 0.554). Conclusions The only sex difference was in SCM thickness. However, smaller SCMs in women did not result in less SCM SWE stiffness. We provided normative values for US-based imaging of the cervical-flexor and -extensor muscles in young and athletic men and women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in Ultrasound-Based Muscle Size and Mechanical Properties of the Cervical-Flexor and -Extensor Muscles

Nagai

Schilaty

Krause

et al. 2020

Journal of Athletic Training

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“…As splenius capitis is a part of the upper neck extensor muscle group, it will contribute to the gross activity measured as mUNE in the present study. Based on functional anatomy, the cervical spine will be forced in a protracted position during SH and RF, when performed with an external loading [30][31][32]. The neck muscles must be activated in order to stabilize and keep a neutral positio.…”

Section: Main Findingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electromyographic Evaluation of Specific Elastic Band Exercises Targeting Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activation

et al. 2020

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Background: Specific strength training at a high intensity is effective in reducing work related neck/shoulder pain. However, it remains to be documented as to which exercises most specifically target neck and shoulder muscles at high activation level while using simple equipment as e.g., elastic bands. We hypothezised that selected exercises would specifically target the respective muscles, as follows: (1) shrugs and reverse flyes: the upper trapezius muscle, (2) cervical extension and lateral flexion: the upper neck extensor muscle, and (3) cervical flexion and rotation: the sternocleidomastoideus muscle. Methods: Eleven healthy males (25.9 ± 1.4 years, BMI 24.3 ± 1.4) with no neck/shoulder pain (VAS = 0) performed the six exercises with elastic bands at 12RM (repetition maximum) and 20RM in a randomized order. Electromyography was bilaterally recorded from the three muscles and it was normalized to maximal voluntary activation (%MVE). Exercises that evoke more than 60%MVE were considered as high intensity activation. Results: High muscle activation level was attained during 12RM in the upper trapezius muscle during shrugs (100.3 ± 29.8%MVE) and reverse flyes (91.6 ± 32.8%MVE) and in the upper neck extensor muscle during cervical extension (67.6 ± 29.8%MVE) and shrugs (61.9 ± 16.8%MVE). In the sternocleidomastoideus muscle, the highest activity was recorded during cervical flexion (51.7 ± 16.4%MVE) but it did not exceed 60%MVE. The overall activity was ~10% higher during 12RM when compared to 20RM. Conclusion: The simple exercises shrugs and reverse flyes resulted in high intensity activation of both the upper trapezius and neck extensors, while no exercises activated sternocleidomastoideus at high intensity.

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“…Still, while sexual difference in clinical presentation and outcome are well‐recognized, the underlying etiology for this disparity remains less clear. The majority of the clinical presentation after cervical injury, such as extensor muscle pain, extensor muscle degeneration, and reduced activation hint that the musculoskeletal cervical neck and especially the posterior neck muscle component must be involved (Koren et al, 2015; Peolsson et al, 2016; Rivard et al, 2017; Schomacher et al, 2013; Schomacher & Falla, 2013; Schomacher et al, 2012a; Yan et al, 2018). Differences in cervical musculature are speculated as one of the reasons why female athletes sustain a higher percentage of concussions during games than male athletes do (Covassin et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When these muscles work bilaterally, they extend the neck. When they work unilaterally, each muscle performs a combination of rotation and side flexion of the head to the ipsilateral side (Rivard et al, 2017; Vasavada et al, 1998). The moment arm of Spinotransversales is average compared with other posterior cervical muscles, ranging from 0.9–2.2 cm for axial rotation to 3.9–5.2 cm for extension (Vasavada et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual dimorphism of the posterior cervical spine muscle attachments

et al. 2021

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Cervical spinal injury and neck pain are common disorders with wide physical implications. Neck pain and disability are reported to occur in females more often than in males, and chronic or persistent neck pain after whiplash is twice as common in females. Female athletes also sustain a higher percentage of concussions compared to male athletes. Still, while sexual differences in clinical presentation and outcome are well‐established, the underlying etiology for the disparity remains less clear. It is well‐established that the origin and insertion landmarks of posterior neck muscles are highly variable, but we do not know if these interindividual differences are associated with sex. Expanding our knowledge on sexual dimorphism in the anatomy of the cervical muscles is essential to our understanding of the possible biomechanical differences between the sexes and hence improves our understanding as to why females suffer from cervical pain more than males. It is also of paramount importance for accurate planning of posterior cervical spine surgery, which cuts through the posterior cervical musculature. Therefore, our main objective is to characterize the anatomy of posterior neck musculature and to explore possible sexual differences in the location of their attachment points. Meticulous posterior neck dissection was performed on 35 cadavers, 19 females, and 16 males. In each specimen, 8 muscle groups were examined bilaterally at 45 osseous anatomical landmarks. Muscles and their attachment sites were evaluated manually then photographed and recorded using Microscribe Digitizer technology built into 3D models. A comparison of attachment landmarks between males and females for each muscle was conducted. Out of the eight muscles that were measured, only two muscles demonstrated significant sex‐related anatomical differences—Spinotranversales (splenius capitis and cervicis) and Multifidus. Male Spinotransversales muscle has more attachment points than female. It showed more cranial insertion points in the upper cervical attachments (superior nuchal line, C1 posterior tubercle, and mastoid process) and more caudal insertion points in the spinous processes and transverse processes of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. Thus, the male subjects in this study exhibited a greater coverage of the posterior neck both cranially and caudally. Female Multifidus has more attachment points on the spinous processes and articular processes at middle and lower cervical vertebrae and at the transverse processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae. All remaining muscles exhibited no sexual differences. Our findings highlight, for the first time, a sexual dimorphism in attachment points of posterior cervical musculature. It reinforces the notion that the female neck is not a scaled version of the male neck. These differences in muscle attachment could partially explain differences in muscle torque production and range of motion and thus biomechanical differences in cervical spine stabilization between sexes. It sheds a ...

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Activation of the semispinalis cervicis and splenius capitis with cervical pulley exercises

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Sex Differences in Ultrasound-Based Muscle Size and Mechanical Properties of the Cervical-Flexor and -Extensor Muscles

Sex Differences in Ultrasound-Based Muscle Size and Mechanical Properties of the Cervical-Flexor and -Extensor Muscles

Electromyographic Evaluation of Specific Elastic Band Exercises Targeting Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activation

Sexual dimorphism of the posterior cervical spine muscle attachments

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