The Effect of Shoulder Resistance Training on Isometric Strength of the Neck Extensor Muscles

Neck pain is an important public health care problem in modern societies, and proper and effective training programs are required for its prevention and treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of shoulder-abduction resistance trainings on isometric strength of the neck extensor muscles. In this study, a total of 28 healthy women (20-25 years of age), were randomly divided into two groups of shoulder-abduction resistance exercises (n=14) and control (n=14), who performed active range of motion exercises (AROM). Both groups performed exercises 3 days/week for 10 weeks. In both groups, isometric strength of neck muscles was measured before and after the intervention period using an isometric neck muscle strength measurement device. Data were analyzed by independent and paired t-tests. The strength of the neck extensor muscles in the case group was 72.69±15.82, which was significantly higher in comparison with the control group, 52.68±14.20 (p<0.001). The results of this study showed that shoulder-abduction resistance exercises are effective in increasing isometric strength of the neck extensor muscles.