Investigation of the Effect of Neck Muscle Active Force on Whiplash Injury of the Cervical Spine

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics ◽

10.1155/2018/4542750 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yu Yan ◽

Jing Huang ◽

Fan Li ◽

Lin Hu

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Whiplash Injury ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Injury Mechanism ◽

Human Model ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Fe Model ◽

Active Force ◽

Sitting Posture ◽

Head Neck

The objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of neck muscle activation on whiplash neck injury of the occupants of a passenger vehicle under different severities of frontal and rear-end impact collisions. The finite element (FE) model has been used as a versatile tool to simulate and understand the whiplash injury mechanism for occupant injury prevention. However, whiplash injuries and injury mechanisms have rarely been investigated in connection with neck active muscle forces, which restricts the complete reappearance and understanding of the injury mechanism. In this manuscript, a mixed FE human model in a sitting posture with an active head-neck was developed. The response of the cervical spine under frontal and rear-end collision conditions was then studied using the FE model with and without neck muscle activation. The effect of the neck muscle activation on the whiplash injury was studied based on the results of the FE simulations. The results indicated that the neck active force influenced the head-neck dynamic response and whiplash injury during a collision, especially in a low-speed collision.

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The Influence of Neck Muscle Activation on Head and Neck Injuries of Occupants in Frontal Impacts

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics ◽

10.1155/2018/7279302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fan Li ◽

Ronggui Lu ◽

Wei Hu ◽

Honggeng Li ◽

Shiping Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

High Speed ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Fe Model ◽

Neck Injuries ◽

Frontal Impact ◽

Low Speed ◽

Frontal Impacts ◽

Head Neck

The aim of the present paper was to study the influence of neck muscle activation on head and neck injuries of vehicle occupants in frontal impacts. A mixed dummy-human finite element model was developed to simulate a frontal impact. The head-neck part of a Hybrid III dummy model was replaced by a well-validated head-neck FE model with passive and active muscle characteristics. The mixed dummy-human FE model was validated by 15 G frontal volunteer tests conducted in the Naval Biodynamics Laboratory. The effects of neck muscle activation on the head dynamic responses and neck injuries of occupants in three frontal impact intensities, low speed (10 km/h), medium speed (30 km/h), and high speed (50 km/h), were studied. The results showed that the mixed dummy-human FE model has good biofidelity. The activation of neck muscles can not only lower the head resultant acceleration under different impact intensities and the head angular acceleration in medium- and high-speed impacts, thereby reducing the risks of head injury, but also protect the neck from injury in low-speed impacts.

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Reflexive Response of Neck Muscle to Sudden Perturbation after Prolonged Smartphone Use

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 1250-1253

Author(s):

Eunjee Kim ◽

Donghyun Song ◽

Dasom Park ◽

Hyorim Kim ◽

Gwanseob Shin

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Spinal Stability ◽

Delayed Onset ◽

Activation Level ◽

Before And After ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Head Stability ◽

Passive Stretch

Prolonged smartphone use induces passive stretch of neck tissues and muscle fatigue, affecting spinal stability and pain. It is necessary to evaluate the effect of smartphone use on the reflexive response to detect the changes in neck tissues and head stability. A laboratory experiment (n=10) was conducted to investigate the reflexive response of neck muscle to perturbation after 30 minutes of smartphone use. Neck extensor muscle activation and its activation timing to perturbation were investigated before and after smartphone use. Head angle and muscle activation level were collected during smartphone use. During smartphone use, muscle activation gradually increased. After smartphone use, neck muscles showed a higher activation level and significantly delayed onset to perturbation. Smartphone use changed the reflexive response of the neck muscle. Further study is needed to investigate the association between smartphone use and neuromuscular changes to the tissues of the cervical spine.

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EMG-Assisted Neuromusculoskeletal Models Can Estimate Physiological Muscle Activations and Joint Moments Across the Neck Before Impacts

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.4052555 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pavlos Silvestros ◽

Claudio Pizzolato ◽

David G. Lloyd ◽

Ezio Preatoni ◽

Harinderjit S. Gill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Inverse Dynamics ◽

A Priori ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Joint Moments ◽

Activation Patterns ◽

Muscle Activation Patterns ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Muscle Activations

Abstract Knowledge of neck muscle activation strategies prior to sporting impacts is crucial for investigating mechanisms of severe spinal injuries. However, measurement of muscle activations during impacts is experimentally challenging and computational estimations are not often guided by experimental measurements. We investigated neck muscle activations prior to impacts with the use of electromyography (EMG)-assisted neuromusculoskeletal models. Kinematics and EMG recordings from four major neck muscles of a rugby player were experimentally measured during rugby activities. A subject-specific musculoskeletal model was created with muscle parameters informed from MRI measurements. The model was used in the Calibrated EMG-Informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modelling toolbox and three neural solutions were compared: i) static optimisation (SO), ii) EMG-assisted (EMGa) and iii) MRI-informed EMG-assisted (EMGaMRI). EMGaMRI and EMGa significantly (p¡0.01) outperformed SO when tracking cervical spine net joint moments from inverse dynamics in flexion/extension (RMSE = 0.95, 1.14 and 2.32 Nm) but not in lateral bending (RMSE = 1.07, 2.07 and 0.84 Nm). EMG-assisted solutions generated physiological muscle activation patterns and maintained experimental co-contractions significantly (p¡0.01) outperforming SO, which was characterised by saturation and non-physiological "on-off" patterns. This study showed for the first time that physiological neck muscle activations and cervical spine net joint moments can be estimated without assumed a priori objective criteria prior to impacts. Future studies could use this technique to provide detailed initial loading conditions for theoretical simulations of neck injury during impacts.

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FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF HEAD-NECK RESPONSES DURING WHIPLASH

Journal of Musculoskeletal Research ◽

10.1142/s0218957705001400 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 09 (01) ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ee-Chon Teo ◽

Qing-Hang Zhang ◽

Hong-Wan Ng

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Neck Region ◽

Fe Model ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Impact Pulse ◽

Cadaveric Specimen ◽

Actual Geometry ◽

Head Neck

A detailed three-dimensional head-neck (C0–C7) finite element (FE) model developed previously based on the actual geometry of a cadaveric specimen was used to characterize the whiplash phenomenon of the head-neck region during rear-end collision. A maximum rear impact pulse of 8.5 G of acceleration was applied to C7. The effects of a headrest on the responses of head-neck complex were also discussed. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the current C0–C7 FE model in characterizing the gross responses of human cervical spine under whiplash. The results showed that during whiplash, the lower cervical levels, especially the C6–C7, experience hyperextension in the early phase of acceleration. The whole cervical spine is at risk of extension injuries rather than flexion injuries in whiplash. The use of a proper headrest can effectively reduce the cervical spine from extension injury during the acceleration phase of cervical spine in whiplash.

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COMPARISON OF NECK MUSCLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY ACTIVITY IN RESPONSE TO EXTERNAL FORCE BETWEEN STATIC AND DYNAMIC LOADING

Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1142/s0219519418500343 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (04) ◽

pp. 1850034

Author(s):

D. W. KAK ◽

A. R. ANITA ◽

N. M. NIZLAN ◽

I. NORMALA ◽

N. A. ABDUL JALIL ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Loading ◽

Static Loading ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Neck Muscles ◽

Motor Vehicle Crash ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Activation Level ◽

Static And Dynamic Loading ◽

Head Neck

Understanding the behavior of neck muscles is essential to accurately simulate the human head-neck segment movement especially for low-speed motor vehicle crash situation. Some head-neck mathematical models were designed using neck muscle activation behavior in isometric contraction (static loading) as the properties of neck muscle activation. However, neck muscle activation pattern and strength capability may vary between static and dynamic loading. This study aimed to determine the differences between neck muscle activation level under static and dynamic loading. A neck strength test involving 22 human volunteers was conducted with two different tasks in extension and flexion direction with three different loads. The neck muscle activation level is determined through measuring the electromyography (EMG) responses of selected flexor and extensor muscles using surface bilateral electrode and recorded. The findings showed that neck muscle activation level was significantly greater in dynamic loading than static loading ([Formula: see text]). These implied that more efforts from neck muscles were required to resist against dynamic loading than static loading. Nonetheless, the differences in EMG activities between these two loading conditions progressively decreased when more loads were applied. This study has established an empirical model to describe the relationship between neck muscle activation level and force output for both loading condition in flexion and extension.

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SIMULATION OF MUSCLE ACTIVATION WITH COUPLED NONLINEAR FE MODELS

Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1142/s0219519416500822 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (06) ◽

pp. 1650082 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

FAN LI ◽

HONGGENG LI ◽

WEI HU ◽

SICHENG SU ◽

BINGYU WANG

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

System Modeling ◽

Biomechanical Study ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Computational Stability ◽

Muscle System ◽

Geometry Model ◽

Muscle Models ◽

Head Neck

Muscle activation plays an important role in head–neck dynamic response in vehicle accidents, especially in low speed impacts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the mechanical characteristics and dynamic stability of the muscle using coupled non-linear finite element model, which could be further applied for biomechanical study of head–neck system in car crash accidents. A rabbit tibialis anterior (TA) geometry model was developed. Two finite element models of TA were developed with coupled constitutive models. One coupled model was developed combining quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) elements and Hill type elements, and the other was developed combining hyperelastic rubber elements and Hill type elements, representing the passive behavior and active behavior, respectively. The models were validated via eccentric contractions tests under different strain rates published by Myers et al. Isometric Contraction and axial compression were also simulated via both models to evaluate the computational stability. The results showed that the coupled constitutive muscle models had a good biofidelity for the simulation of muscle activation. Both muscle models can fulfill the requirement of neck muscle system modeling for biomechanical study.

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Biomechanical Implications of Gender-Dependent Muscle Locations

ASME 2008 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/sbc2008-192339 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brian D. Stemper ◽

Narayan Yoganandan ◽

Jamie L. Baisden ◽

Frank A. Pintar ◽

Barry S. Shender ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue Injuries ◽

Acute Injury ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Injury Rates ◽

Sitting Posture ◽

Muscle Geometry ◽

Cervical Injuries ◽

Military Pilots ◽

Head Neck

Military pilots are subjected to high magnitude inertial loads applied to the head-neck complex during high-G maneuvers. Cervical spinal soft-tissue injuries have occurred in this population [1–3]. Acute injury rates were reported between 54 and 89%, most commonly resulting in muscle or neck pain. Early cervical spine degenerative changes were also identified for fighter pilots [4]. Because the neck muscles are responsible for maintaining head-neck stability, one study hypothesized that cervical injuries in aviators may result from insufficient neck muscle strength to support the head-neck complex during high-G maneuvers [5]. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that pilots participating in pre-injury neck strengthening exercises demonstrated fewer injuries [1]. Although clinical data on the subject are limited, female pilots may be more susceptible to neck injury due to more slender necks and cervical columns that may be less resistant to bending [6, 7]. Differences in neck muscle geometry, in terms of cross-sectional area and positioning, may also lead to differing injury rates. Previous investigations of neck muscle geometry using contemporary medical imaging modalities were conducted with subjects in supine position [8–11], which removes the axial loads of the head and superior cervical structures due to gravity and likely changes neck muscle geometry. To date, no study has outlined gender-dependent neck muscle geometry determined using MRI of subjects in upright, sitting posture. The present hypothesis was that significant gender differences exist in neck muscle geometry.

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Efficacy of Cervical Spine Muscle Strength Training in the Prevention of Cervical Spine Injuries in Hockey Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

International Journal of Strength and Conditioning ◽

10.47206/ijsc.v1i1.26 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Costa

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Keywords Cervical Spine ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Spine Injuries

Abstract Limited review of cervical spine injuries within the sport of ice hockey exist in the published world. Therefore, this paper sets out to locate, define, and critically appraise the topic to determine the frequency, severity, and possible interventions for the prevention and rehabilitation of cervical spine injuries in ice hockey. A call to action is advised to accurately track these injuries in order to better assist with the creation of a standardized protocol for treatment and reconditioning designed to assist strength and conditioning professionals in the reconditioning of athletes. Sufficient evidence supported the prevalence of cervical spine injuries in the sport of hockey. muscle strength and rigidity had little to no effect on the resistance of head impact acceleration.4 Regardless of linear velocity and peak angular velocity changes amongst individuals with varying isometric muscle strength of the cervical muscle, cervical spine injuries appear to be unrelated.8 The continued documentation of cervical spine injuries in hockey is necessary to gain a clearer understanding of the current prevalence of this specific injury. It appears that cervical spine injuries are less prevalent at the professional and international levels. This could potentially be attributed to a greater respect for athletic competition, as well as significant improvements of motor function and control exhibited by professional hockey players. Improving physiological performance appears to have little to no effect on cervical spine injuries.7,8,9 Unfortunately, little to no evidence currently exists, regarding the optimization of kinetic and kinematic actions within the cervical spine structure by way of improving muscle function, hypertrophy, or neuromuscular efficiency. Keywords: cervical spine injuries in hockey, neck injuries in the hockey, non-concussion-based spine injuries in hockey, neck strength, neck muscle activation, head kinematics

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