The purpose of this study was to compare maximal torque exerted about the craniocervical (CC) and cervicothoracic (CT) axes in the sagittal plane using a novel dynamometry device. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) recordings in newton-meters (N·m) were measured in 20 males and 20 females for each of 4 tests: CT extension, CT flexion, CC extension, CC flexion. Twenty of the volunteers repeated the testing procedureon a second occasion to determine the test�retest repeatability of the measures. MVC recordings at the CTaxis (extension, 30.24 ± 12.15 N·m; flexion, 18.90 ± 8.21 N·m) were 1.4�2 times greater than recordings at the CC axis (extension, 16.46 ± 7.26 N·m; flexion, 13.34 ± 5.97 N·m). Extensor to flexor strength ratiosreduced from 1.75 at the CT axis to 1.24 at the CC axis, but were similar for both males and females. Good to excellent test�retest repeatability was demonstrated for all tests (ICC = 0.75�0.99, SEM = 0.50�2.44 N·m). Consistent with differences in the muscle morphology at the CC and CT axes, torque exerted about these axes differ. Separate measurement of torque about these axes potentially offers a more comprehensive profile of cervical muscle strength.
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