Effect of horizontal pushing and pulling exertions on neck muscle activity

In this study the effect of horizontal pushing and pulling exertions on the activity of major neck muscles, stern- ocleidomastoid and cervical trapezius, was studied biomechanically by using electromyography (EMG). Twenty-two (11 males and 11 females) healthy individuals participated in this study. Each participant performed constrained horizontal pushing and pulling exertions, in a seated posture, exerting 25%, 50%, and 75% of their respective maximum strengths. The activity of the neck muscles increased with the increase in the pushing and pulling force. The direction of force application had a minimal effect on the activation of neck muscles. The effect of gender on the activity of the neck muscles was significant. Female participants used sternocleidomastoid muscle to a significantly greater extent than male participants. A significantly higher activation of cervical trapezius muscle was observed for male participants than female participants.