Volume 27, Issue 1 (Spring--In Press 2026)
jrehab 2026, 27(1): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.USWR.REC.1402.056
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Hatamvand S, Rahmani N, Mohseni-Bandpei M A, Amiri-Arimi S, Saatchi M. Correlation between Cervical Muscle Size with Spirometric Parameters and Chest Wall Mobility in Healthy Individuals. jrehab 2026; 27 (1)
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3706-en.html
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3706-en.html
Sima Hatamvand1 
, Nahid Rahmani *2 , Mohammad Ali Mohseni-Bandpei3 , Somayeh Amiri-Arimi4 , Mohammad Saatchi5
, Nahid Rahmani *2 , Mohammad Ali Mohseni-Bandpei3 , Somayeh Amiri-Arimi4 , Mohammad Saatchi5
1- Neuromuscluskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram Abad, Iran
2- Neuromuscluskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Department of Physical Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,nahrah2005@yahoo.com
3- Neuromuscluskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & University Institute of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram Abad, Iran
5- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
2- Neuromuscluskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Department of Physical Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
3- Neuromuscluskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & University Institute of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram Abad, Iran
5- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (129 Views)
Background: Cervical muscles play an accessory role in pulmonary ventilation and, through their musculoskeletal, fascial, and neural connections with the thoracic spine and diaphragm, may influence respiratory function. However, evidence regarding the association between cervical musculature and respiratory parameters in healthy individuals is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical muscle size and spirometric indices as well as chest wall mobility in healthy adults.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 healthy adults (28 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 41 ± 10 years participated. The thickness of the multifidus, longus colli, sternocleidomastoid, and anterior scalene muscles was measured using ultrasonography. Respiratory volumes were assessed using spirometry, and chest wall mobility during maximal inhalation and exhalation was measured using a tape measure. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson or Spearman coefficients, as appropriate.
Results: The findings demonstrated that multifidus muscle thickness was positively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 0.35, P = 0.01) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (r = 0.37, P = 0.008). Anterior scalene muscle thickness showed significant positive correlations with all spirometric indices. Sternocleidomastoid thickness was also positively correlated with FVC (r = 0.31, P = 0.02) and FEV1 (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). Additionally, chest wall mobility demonstrated significant positive correlations with anterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness.
Conclusion: The results indicate that respiratory function, even in healthy individuals, is influenced by the structure and thickness of cervical muscles. These associations may be explained by the anatomical, fascial, and neural continuities between the cervical and thoracic regions. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating and strengthening cervical muscles in training and rehabilitation programs aimed at improving respiratory function. Further studies in clinical populations are recommended to confirm these observations.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 healthy adults (28 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 41 ± 10 years participated. The thickness of the multifidus, longus colli, sternocleidomastoid, and anterior scalene muscles was measured using ultrasonography. Respiratory volumes were assessed using spirometry, and chest wall mobility during maximal inhalation and exhalation was measured using a tape measure. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson or Spearman coefficients, as appropriate.
Results: The findings demonstrated that multifidus muscle thickness was positively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 0.35, P = 0.01) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (r = 0.37, P = 0.008). Anterior scalene muscle thickness showed significant positive correlations with all spirometric indices. Sternocleidomastoid thickness was also positively correlated with FVC (r = 0.31, P = 0.02) and FEV1 (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). Additionally, chest wall mobility demonstrated significant positive correlations with anterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness.
Conclusion: The results indicate that respiratory function, even in healthy individuals, is influenced by the structure and thickness of cervical muscles. These associations may be explained by the anatomical, fascial, and neural continuities between the cervical and thoracic regions. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating and strengthening cervical muscles in training and rehabilitation programs aimed at improving respiratory function. Further studies in clinical populations are recommended to confirm these observations.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Physical Therapy
Received: 24/11/2025 | Accepted: 1/05/2026 | Published: 1/05/2026
Received: 24/11/2025 | Accepted: 1/05/2026 | Published: 1/05/2026
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This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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