Affiliations: [a] Technology, Design and Safety, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA | [b] Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Ashish D. Nimbarte, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University, PO Box 6070, Morgantown, WV 26506-6107, USA. Tel.: +1 304 293 9473, Fax: +1 304 293 4970; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: In this study the effect of horizontal pushing and pulling exertions on the activity of major neck muscles, sternocleidomastoid 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.
