Affiliations: [a] Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany | [b] Institute for Biometry, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany | [c] Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics, Darmstadt, Germany | [d] Ulmkolleg School for Physiotherapists and Masseurs, Ulm, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dr. Christoph Dehner, Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universität Ulm, Steinhövelstrasse 9, D-89075 Ulm, Germany. Tel.: +49 731 5000; Fax: +49 731 27349; E-mail: christoph.dehner@uniklinik-ulm.de
Abstract: Objectives:To investigate training effects of two different resistance and proprioceptive exercising concepts of neck muscles. Material and Method:Twenty-six healthy women participated in a randomized pilot trial. The test persons were randomized to two different neck-training programs (resistance training (RT) and proprioceptive resistance training (PRT)). They performed a standardized training program for the duration of ten weeks two times weekly. The neck strength, the cross-sectional area of three neck muscle groups (1. sternocleidomastoid muscles; 2. multifidus and semispinalis cervicis muscles; 3. semispinalis capitis and splenius muscles) and the proprioceptive capability evaluated by the dynamic joint repositioning error (DJRE) of the head were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results:Strength gain did not differ significantly between the two resistance training groups (PRT group: 8.2% to 29.3%; RT group: 1.4% to 19.8%). Change of hypertrophy of all neck muscle groups was significantly (p<0.001 to p=0.013) greater in the PRT group (18.9% to 32.3%) than in the RT group (1.5% to 12.9%). The DJRE deteriorated with 35% in the RT group and did not change in PRT group (−2.0%). Conclusion:In combination with resistance training, proprioceptive training led to a significantly higher muscle hypertrophy and didn’t effect a significant deterioration of the proprioceptive capability compared to isolated resistance training.
Keywords: Cervical spine, visual motion control, training efficacy, cervicocephalic kinaesthesia
