Measuring the endurance capacity of the cervical short flexor muscle group

The role of the cervical short flexor muscles in maintaining head posture has been recognised recently. While a computerised device is available for measuring isometric performance of this muscle group, no clinical method is available. This paper reports on an inexpensive and time-efficient method of measuring the endurance capacity of the cervical short flexor muscle group in a clinical setting. The measurement is adapted from an exercise described and illustrated by Trott (1988). The measurements of cervical short-flexor endurance were reproducible over a one month interval. There was a systematic improvement in mean endurance capacity for both women and men and the possible causes of this are discussed.