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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) :116-139
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3796-en.html

Objective 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, limited evidence exists regarding the association between cervical structures and respiratory indices in healthy individuals. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical muscle size, spirometric indices, and chest wall mobility in healthy adults.
Materials & Methods This cross-sectional investigation employed 50 healthy adults (28 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 41±10 years. 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 both maximal inhalation and exhalation was evaluated with a measuring tape. Associations between variables were examined using Pearson or Spearman correlation tests, depending on data distribution.
Results Analysis of the relationship between cervical muscle size and respiratory volume indices demonstrated that multifidus muscle thickness was positively and significantly 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 was found to be positively and significantly associated with all spirometric parameters. Additionally, sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness was positively correlated with FVC (r=0.31, P=0.02) and FEV1 (r=0.31, P=0.02). Chest wall mobility also demonstrated statistically significant positive associations with the thickness of the anterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Conclusion The results of the present investigation indicate that respiratory function, even in healthy individuals, is influenced by the structure and thickness of cervical muscles. These associations may be attributed to the anatomical, fascial, and neural continuity between the cervical and thoracic regions. The present results highlight the importance of assessing and strengthening cervical muscles in training and rehabilitation programs aimed at improving respiratory function. Further studies in clinical populations are recommended to confirm these findings.