Clinical biomechanic correlates for cervical function: Part III. Intermittent secondary movements

Area of Science:

• Biomechanical analysis
• Neuroscience
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Cervical sidebending tests can reveal motor control differences.
• Previous studies compared kinematic and myoelectric data in asymptomatic subjects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To further investigate kinematic data of head orientation during cervical sidebending.
• To correlate subclinical motor behavior with measurable kinematic and myoelectric data.

Main Methods:

• Collected three-dimensional kinematic data throughout the paths of movement.
• Compared data between asymptomatic subjects with symmetric and asymmetric motor responses.
• Analyzed myoelectric activity initiation, time, and strength of contraction.

Main Results:

• Asymmetric subjects showed reduced range of motion in primary and secondary cervical motions.
• Myoelectric activity was initiated slower and reduced in time and strength for asymmetric subjects.
• Minor secondary axis movements did not significantly differ between groups, showing similarities between active and passive movements.

Conclusions:

• A passive gross motion test can distinguish an asymmetric group with subclinical motor behavior.
• This subclinical motor behavior is associated with measurable kinematic and myoelectric correlates.
• Active and passive movements demonstrated remarkable similarities, suggesting consistent motor control patterns.