Functional assessment of the cervical spine in F-16 pilots with and without neck pain

Introduction: Spinal symptoms in fighter pilots are a serious aeromedical problem. The most common neck complaints are muscular pain and strain. The aim of the current study was to determine possible differences in the cervical range of motion (CROM), neck position sense, and neck muscle strength between pilots with and without neck pain. Methods: There were 90 male F-I 6 pilots who volunteered, of which 17 had experienced bilateral neck pain. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect personal information. The maximum isometric neck flexion/extension and lateral flexion strength, the neck position sense, and the cervical range of motion were measured. Results: There were no significant differences between healthy pilots and those with neck pain concerning neck Muscle strength and neck position sense. The neck pain group had a limited CROM in the sagittal plane (130 degrees; CI: 116 degrees-144 degrees) and in the transversal plane (155 degrees; CI: 140 degrees-170 degrees) compared to the healthy pilots. Discussion: In the current study we screened for different motor skills so that deficits Could be detected and retraining programs could be implemented when necessary. According to our results, individual retraining programs might reduce neck pain and therefore a well-instructed training program to maintain a proper active CROM should be implemented. Future Studies should investigate the effectiveness of this kind of program

Prevalence and risk factors of neck pain in military office workers

An extensive cross-sectional questionnaire was used to estimate the prevalence of neck pain and to identify risk factors (short term to long term) in the occurrence of neck pain in military office workers. Two standardized scales (Neck Disability Index and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) allowed assessment of the impact of neck pain on the person's life and the pain-related fear avoidance. A total of 629 completed questionnaires were evaluated which revealed the following: lifetime prevalence (78%), week prevalence (53%), point prevalence (59%), year prevalence (65%) (once-only, 19%; regular, 51%; long term, 15%; never, 7%). The results of this study provided support for the role of physical and psychosocial job characteristics in the etiology of neck pain in military office workers

MRI Study of the Morphometry of the Cervical Musculature in F-16 Pilots

Introduction: In fighter pilots neck muscle strengthening exercises are often recommended to protect the neck against pathologies. The aim of the Current study was to compare the relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) and muscle:fat ratio of the cervical musculature of F-16 pilots experiencing neck pain and no neck pain (control) pilots. In addition, correlations between these morphometric characteristics, cervical range of motion (CROM), and neck Muscle strength were evaluated. Methods: There were 35 male F-16 pilots who volunteered, of which 10 experienced bilateral neck pain. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect personal information. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was assessed at the C5-C6 level to determine rCSA and muscle:fat ratio. The CROM (Zebris) and the maximum isometric strength (David F140 device) were measured. Results: The rCSA of the semispinalis cervicis and multifidus was significantly larger in the neck pain group (left: 2.08 cm(2); right: 1.81 cm(2)) on both the left and the right side, in comparison to the control population (left: 1.29 cm(2); right: 1.26 cm(2)). In the pain group, the rCSA of the semispinalis cervicis and multifidus was significant larger on the left than on the right side (left: 2.08 cm(2); right: 1.81 cm(2)). No differences in the muscle:fat ratio between control pilots and pilots with neck pain could be determined. Between groups no differences were found in the CROM and the neck muscle strength. Discussion: It is hypothesized that the larger rCSA in the neck pain group compared to the control group might be caused by greater activity of the deep neck muscles in the neck pain group. The asymmetrical operation of the F-16 Might Cause the asymmetry within this group