Prevention of Neck Pain in Adults With a Back School-Based Intervention.

Neck flexor muscle endurance.

This was measured using the deep neck flexor endurance test as described by Grimmer (1994). When in supine position, participants were asked to flex the upper cervical spine, move their heads away from the couch approximately 2.5 cm and hold this position for as long as possible. The test ended when students dropped their heads or lost craniocervical flexion.

Time frame: Baseline and two months.

Neck extensor muscle endurance.

The neck extensor endurance test was performed in line with the guidelines by Edmondston et al (2008). Students were in prone position, head neutral, arms by their sides and a 10-cm stabilising strip of Velcro was placed at the sixth dorsal vertebra level. An inclinometer and 5-cm strap were placed around the participants head with a 2-kg weight hanging from it. Participants were asked to support this weight for as long as possible while maintaining a neutral head position.

Time frame: Baseline and two months.

Scapular stabiliser endurance

Endurance of the scapular stabilisers was assessed as described by Edmondston et al (2008). Participants stood with their shoulders and elbows flexed at 90°. Students' elbows were kept approximately shoulder-distance apart with a ruler and they were asked to pull both extremities of the dynamometer by externally rotating their shoulders until the dynamometer reached 1 kg. They were asked to hold this position for as long as possible.

Time frame: Baseline and two months.