Neck pain in cyclists : assessment of cervical muscular endurance.

Details

Supervisors

Pitance, Laurent

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la motricité, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée: kinésithérapie musculo-squelettique

Abstract

enContext: Neck pain is common among cyclists, and is often associated with prolonged postures and specific biomechanical constraints, notably cervical spine extension. Although adjustments to equipment and posture are often advocated, the role of cervical muscular endurance in such pain remains little studied. This study focuses specifically on muscular deficits in cyclists suffering from practice-related neck pain, and not on chronic cervicalgic subjects. Objective: Evaluate the muscular endurance of cervical and scapular muscles in cyclists suffering from neck pain during cycling and compare it with that of asymptomatic cyclists. Methods: 40 amateur cyclists (20 with neck pain, 20 asymptomatic) were included. Three functional tests were performed: the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT) for deep cervical flexors, the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) for scapular stabilizers, and the Neck Extensor Endurance Test (NEET) for cervical extensors. Results: Cervicalgic cyclists performed significantly worse in all three tests compared to asymptomatic cyclists: CCFT (29.7 ± 16.5 vs. 42.6 ± 19.6, p=0.047), CKCUEST (0.29 ± 0.05 vs. 0.32 ± 0.05, p=0.026), NEET (239 ± 82 s vs. 340 ± 123 s, p=0.001). These results indicate that muscular endurance of the deep cervical flexors, cervical extensors and scapular stabilizers is significantly reduced in cyclists suffering from neck pain during cycling. However, it is not possible to determine from these cross- sectional data whether these deficits are a cause or consequence of the pain. Conclusion: The results of this study show reduced muscular endurance of the cervical and scapular muscles in cervicalgic cyclists, compared with asymptomatic cyclists. Although these differences do not establish a causal link, they do suggest the existence of a clinically relevant association, worthy of exploration in longitudinal studies under real-life conditions. Future research could help refine strategies for the prevention and management of neck pain in cyclists.