Cervical spine muscles activities in flexion / extension under the compressive loading

INTRODUCTION The compressive loading on the cervical spine results the activation of the neck muscles to counterbalance their impact on the posture of the joint. Wearing a helmet in many sports or military and work activities increases the compressive loading. The compressive load is estimated to range from 120 to 1200N [1]. In this current study and based on our finite element model, we aim to estimate the neck muscles net moment able to maintain the the head at four positions: neutral position, 10 and 20deg head flexion and 10deg head extension. The compressive loading considered in this study varies from 40N to 100N with 20N incrementation. The 40N compressive loading is considered as the head weight.