Range of Motion and Muscle Endurance of the Neck in Individuals With Shoulder Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study was to compare the range of motion and muscle endurance time of the neck between individuals with and without shoulder pain and to determine whether these variables could identify individuals with shoulder pain.

In this cross-sectional study, 102 individuals were divided into 2 groups: with and without shoulder pain. The range of motion (RoM) of the neck (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) and the endurance time of the neck muscles (extensors and lateral flexors) were evaluated bilaterally. One-way and 2-way ANOVA were used to compare groups regarding unilateral and bilateral variables, respectively. ROC curves were developed to verify the ability of variables to discriminate between individuals with and without shoulder pain.

Individuals with shoulder pain had lower RoM for all movements (P < .01 to P = .04) and lower endurance time for all muscle groups (P < .01 to P = .02). Neck flexion and contralateral rotation (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.70 and 0.73, respectively) and endurance time of ipsilateral lateral flexors (AUC = 0.76) presented acceptable discriminative capacity to identify individuals with shoulder pain. Other variables showed small discriminative capacity (AUC = 0.63-0.67), and bilateral lateral flexion RoM did not present discriminative capacity (P > .05).

Individuals with shoulder pain had reduced mobility and endurance of the neck. Flexion and contralateral rotation RoM and the endurance of ipsilateral lateral flexors identified those with shoulder pain. Results suggest a regional interdependence between the shoulder and the neck.