Specificity of resistance training responses in neck muscle size and strength |
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Authors: | Michael S Conley Michael H Stone Michael Nimmons and G A Dudley |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Exercise Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA, GE;(2) Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA, US |
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Abstract: | This study examined hypertrophy after head extension resistance training to assess which muscles of the complicated cervical
neuromuscular system were used in this activity. We also determined if conventional resistance exercises, which are likely
to evoke isometric action of the neck, induce generalized hypertrophy of the cervical muscle. Twenty-two active college students
were studied. mean (SE) age, weight and height: 21 (1) years, 71 (4) kg and 173 (3) cm, respectively]. Subjects were assigned
to one of three groups: RESX (head extension exercise and other resistance exercises), RES (resistance exercises without specific
neck exercise), or CON (no training). Groups RESX (n = 8) and RES (n = 6) trained 3 days/week for 12 weeks with large-muscle mass exercises (squat, deadlift, push press, bent row and mid-thigh
pull). Group RESX also performed three sets of ten repetitions of a head extension exercise 3 days/week with a load equal
to the 3 × 10 repetition maximum (RM). Group CON (n = 8) was a control group. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of nine individual muscles or muscle groups was determined by magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical region. The CSA data were averaged over four contiguous transaxial slices in which
all muscles of interest were visible. The 3 × 10 RM for the head extension exercise increased for RESX after training from
17.9 (1.0) to 23.9 (1.4) kg, P < 0.05] but not for RES from 17.6 (1.4) to 17.7 (1.9)␣kg] or CON from 10.1 (2.2) to 10.3 (2.1) kg]. RESX showed an increase
in total neck muscle CSA after training from 19.5 (3.0) to 22.0 (3.6) cm2, P < 0.05], but RES and CON did not from 19.6 (2.9) to 19.7 (2.9)␣cm2 and 17.0 (2.5) to 17.0 (2.4) cm2, respectively]. This hypertrophy for RESX was due mainly to increases in CSA of 23.9 (3.2), 24.0 (5.8), and 24.9 (5.3)% for
the splenius capitis, and semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles, respectively. The lack of generalized neck muscle hypertrophy
in RES was not due to insufficient training. For example, the CSA of their quadriceps femoris muscle group, as assessed by
MRI, increased by 7 (1)% after this short-term training (P < 0.05). The results suggest that: (1) the splenius capitis, and semispinalis capitis and cervicis muscles are mainly responsible
for head extension; (2) short-term resistance training does not provide a sufficient stimulus to evoke neck muscle hypertrophy
unless specific neck exercises are performed; and (3) the postural role of head extensors provides modest loading in bipeds.
Accepted: 15 October 1996 |
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Keywords: | Resistance training Muscle growth Hypertrophy Neck muscles |
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