Normative values of neck extensor endurance test in young adults

Background: Neck extensor muscles frequently exhibit poor performance in individuals with neck pain. The Deep Neck Extensor Endurance Test (NEET) is commonly used to assess the isometric holding time of the neck extensor muscles. Establishing normative values for this test may assist clinicians in the development of rehabilitation programs. Objectives: To identify the average holding time of the NEET in healthy young adults without neck pain. Design: Normative research. Methods: 440 young adults (172 males and 268 females; age: 18-28 yrs) satisfied eligibility criteria were recruited for participation in this study. The average of hold-time scores for 2 attempts was recorded and used for data analysis. Results: The data were not normally distributed; therefore, descriptive data were expressed in terms of median and interquartile range. Demographic data including age, gender, height, weight, Body Mass Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire expressed as the mean with 95% confidence interval (CI) and range. The average holding time of healthy young adults for NEET was 43.1 (95% CI 38.8 to 46.6), men produced an average hold time of 47.1 (95% CI 46.1 to 51.9) and women produced 40.7 (95% CI 39.9 to 44.0). Conclusion: The holding time of NEET for healthy young adults was 43 seconds. Forty-seven seconds was average hold time for males and for females, it was 40 seconds.