Mobility, muscular strength and endurance in the cervical spine in SwedishAir Force pilots

Purpose: Muscle strength, endurance and range of movement of the cervical s pine in a group of Swedish Air Force jet pilots (AF) and in a reference gro up of conscripts doing their military service (RC) were compared. Methods: We tested 30 (AF) 24-42 yr and 33 (RC) 19-22 yr. A questionnaire was used t o document complaints. Maximum voluntary isometric muscle strength of the f lexor and extensor muscles of the cervical spine and sub-maximum isometric endurance in the flexor and extensor muscles were measured. Results: Eleven AF (37%) and four RC (12%) had experienced discomfort in the neck within t he previous year. The pilots' flexor and extensor muscle strength (47 Nm an d 65 Nm) was superior to that of the conscripts (36 Nm and 59 Nm) (p = 0.00 01, p < 0.05, respectively). However, the RC group had greater isometric en durance in the flexor muscles than AF (p = <0.05) and greater neck rotation (p = <0.005). There was no difference between the two groups in the other variables. Conclusion: Differences between the groups with regard to muscle strength and endurance might depend on variations in work-related physical muscle strain, and/or differences in fiber composition in the muscles, whi ch might be reflected by pilot selection procedures.