The effect of neck muscle training on the isometric cervical extension strength and cross-sectional area of the neck extensor muscles - Combined training for neck extensor muscles using a cervical extension machine

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of two kinds of neck muscle training on the isometric cervical extension strength (ICES) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the neck extensor muscles. The subjects which were examined consisted of 22 male college judo athletes. Each was assigned to one of three groups: shrug and upright rowing training (SU); shrug, upright rowing and dynamic neck muscle training (COM); and control (CONT). The SU and COM groups trained 3 days per week for 9 weeks. The ICES and CSA of the neck muscles were measured before and after muscle training. The ICES of the COM group showed a significant increase after training. For the CSA, although a significant increase was only found in a superficial area of the neck extensor muscles in the SU group, the COM group showed significant increases in all areas. This study determined that combined neck muscle training is effective for developing the neck extensor muscles.