Study on Range of Head and Cervical Motions in Young Korean Adults

Kim, Hwang Jo; Kim, Hyoung Tae

Abstract

It is not easy and simple to evaluate of the range of motion (ROM) of the head and neck, although it is important clinically. This study was performed to evaluated ROM of the head and neck in eighty young korean adults (50 men and 30 women). Both side rotations, flexion, extension and lateral bending were measured, and especially side rotation was performed with cases, natural and forced rotation. And the sitting habit of most subjects (48 men and 28 women) in classroom or theater were studied with questionnaire. Natural rotation in men was larger in right than left side (left : right=51.1.degrees: 53.9.degrees). Forced rotation was not significant between right and left sides in men and women, and between men and women (left : right=77.6.degrees: 76.8.degreesin men; left : right=77.4.degrees: 76.2.degrees in women). Flexion was larger in men (65.7.degrees) than women (58.9.degrees). The rage of the extension were 84.3.degrees and 80.0.degrees in men and women. Right lateral bending was larger in men than women (42.1.degrees and 38.6.degrees). The subjects dominant in the left or right rotation preferred to center of classroom generally (72.7% and 81.2%). In case that the subjects must select the one side between left and right, the subjects dominant in left rotation preferred to sit to the right (57.6%), and the subjects dominant in right rotation preferred to sit to the left (53.5%). This results suggested that this data might be the basis of ROM of the head and neck in young korean adults.