Cervical range of motion and head movement trajectory during head inclination and turning tasks using electrical goniometer

Abstract

There were little studies to measure cervical range of movement in Japan. In the present study, we applied an electrical goniometer for 27 of subjects to record the range of motion and movement trajectories of head inclination and turning tasks. In comparison of ranges with those of the previous studies, the range in pitch was found to be identical, however, that in roll was larger. The range was then analyzed for handedness, age and gender. In this study, no difference was found for handedness and gender; however, younger subjects showed significantly larger range in posterior, right and left directions. This suggests that range of motion in the anterior direction may be restricted by the morphological factor rather than muscles and/or soft tissues which could be affected with aging. Movement trajectories represented on the horizontal plane revealed movement instabilities in some of the asymptomatic subjects.