Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, The Graduate
School, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea | Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School,
Yonsei University, Republic of Korea | Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical
Science and Engineering, Inje University, Republic of Korea
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Won-gyu Yoo, Department of Physical
Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, 607
Obang-dong, Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, 621-749 Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 55
320 3994; Fax: +82 55 329 1678; E-mail: won7y@inje.ac.kr
Abstract: Objective: This study examined the effects of wearing a tight
necktie on cervical range of motion and upper trapezius muscle activity. Methods and participants: Thirty computer workers were recruited. First, the
active cervical ROM of the participants while wearing or not wearing a tight
necktie was measured using the CROM instrument. Subsequently, upper trapezius
muscle activity was measured while working at a visual display terminal with
and without a tight necktie. Results: The neck flexion, neck extension,
and lateral flexion of the subjects' cervical range of motion were
significantly decreased when wearing a tight necktie compared to without it.
The activity of the upper trapezius muscle significantly increased when working
while wearing a tight necktie compared to without. Conclusion: It is especially important for male workers to select and tie neckties appropriately
in order to prevent musculoskeletal injuries induced by limitation of cervical
ROM or repetitive cumulative tension increase of the upper trapezius.
Keywords: Cervical range of motion, surface EMG, computer workers
