Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(05): 412-417
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1353167
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cervical Biomechanics and Neck Pain of “Head-Spinning” Breakdancers

M. D. Kauther
1   Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
,
M. Piotrowski
1   Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
,
B. Hussmann
1   Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
,
S. Lendemans
1   Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
,
C. Wedemeyer
2   Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital Essen, Germany
,
M. Jaeger
2   Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital Essen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 10 July 2013

Publication Date:
07 January 2014 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The cervical spine of breakdancers is at great risk due to reversed body loading during headspin manoeuvers. This study focused on the cervical biomechanics of breakdancers and a correlation with neck pain. A standardized interview and biomechanical testing of the cervical spine of 25 participants with “headspin” ability ages 16–34 years and an age-matched cohort of 25 participants without any cervical spine problems was conducted. Neck pain history, Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM) and cervical torque were recorded. The “headspin” group reported significantly better subjective fitness, more cervical complaints, higher pain intensity, a longer history of neck pain and a worse NDI compared to the “normal” collective. The “headspin” group showed a 2–2.5 times higher rate of neck pain than the normal population, with increased cervical flexion (p<0.05) and increased cervical torque in all planes (p<0.001). The CROM showed a negative moderate to strong correlation with NDI, pain intensity and history of neck pain. Sports medicine practitioners should be aware of headspin maneuver accidents that pose the risk of fractures, dislocations and spinal cord injuries of breakdancers.

Key words

breakdance - spine - torque - CROM - power move
 

  • References

  • 1 Ang BO, Monnier A, Harms-Ringdahl K. Neck/shoulder exercise for neck pain in air force helicopter pilots: a randomized controlled trial. Spine 2009; 34: E544-E551
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Bales CP, Chang I, Matheson G, Ouyang D, Dragoo JL. College football player with unstable C1 fracture: a case report. Am J Sports Med 2009; 37: 195-198
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Boden BP, Tacchetti RL, Cantu RC, Knowles SB, Mueller FO. Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in high school and college football players. Am J Sports Med 2006; 34: 1223-1232
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bogduk N, Mercer S. Biomechanics of the cervical spine. I: Normal kinematics. Clin Biomech 2000; 15: 633-648
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bohu Y, Julia M, Bagate C, Peyrin JC, Colonna JP, Thoreux P, Pascal-Moussellard H. Declining incidence of catastrophic cervical spine injuries in French rugby: 1996–2006. Am J Sports Med 2009; 37: 319-323
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Byun HS, Cantos EL, Patel PP. Severe cervical injury due to break dancing. A case report. Orthopedics 1986; 9: 550-551
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Cagnie B, Cools A, De Loose V, Cambier D, Danneels L. Differences in isometric neck muscle strength between healthy controls and women with chronic neck pain: the use of a reliable measurement. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007; 88: 1441-1445
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Chao S, Pacella MJ, Torg JS. The pathomechanics, pathophysiology and prevention of cervical spinal cord and brachial plexus injuries in athletics. Sports Med 2012; 40: 59-75
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Childs JD, Cleland JA, Elliott JM, Teyhen DS, Wainner RS, Whitman JM, Sopky BJ, Godges JJ, Flynn TW. Neck pain: Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2008; 38: A1-A34
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Cleland JA, Fritz JM, Whitman JM, Palmer JA. The reliability and construct validity of the Neck Disability Index and patient specific functional scale in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Spine 2006; 31: 598-602
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 De Loose V, Van den Oord M, Burnotte F, Van Tiggelen D, Stevens V, Cagnie B, Danneels L, Witvrouw E. Functional assessment of the cervical spine in F-16 pilots with and without neck pain. Aviat Space Environ Med 2009; 80: 477-481
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Deroche T, Woodman T, Stephan Y, Brewer BW, Le Scanff C. Athletes’ inclination to play through pain: a coping perspective. Anxiety Stress Coping 2011; 24: 579-587
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Dodwell ER, Kwon BK, Hughes B, Koo D, Townson A, Aludino A, Simons RK, Fisher CG, Dvorak MF, Noonan VK. Spinal column and spinal cord injuries in mountain bikers: a 13-year review. Am J Sports Med 2010; 38: 1647-1652
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Dorey RS, Mayne V. Break-dancing injuries. Med J Aust 1986; 144: 610-611
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Dvir Z, Prushansky T. Cervical muscles strength testing: methods and clinical implications. J Manip Physiol Ther 2008; 31: 518-524
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Jordan A, Mehlsen J, Bulow PM, Ostergaard K, Danneskiold-Samsoe B. Maximal isometric strength of the cervical musculature in 100 healthy volunteers. Spine 1999; 24: 1343-1348
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Kauther MD, Piotrowski M, Hussmann B, Lendemans S, Wedemeyer C. Cervical range of motion and strength in 4,293 young male adults with chronic neck pain. Eur Spine J 2012; 21: 1522-1527
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Kauther MD, Wedemeyer C, Wegner A, Kauther KM, von Knoch M. Breakdance injuries and overuse syndromes in amateurs and professionals. Am J Sports Med 2009; 37: 797-802
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Lansade C, Laporte S, Thoreux P, Rousseau MA, Skalli W, Lavaste F. Three-dimensional analysis of the cervical spine kinematics: effect of age and gender in healthy subjects. Spine 2009; 34: 2900-2906
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Lecompte J, Maisetti O, Guillaume A, Skalli W, Portero P. Neck strength and EMG activity in fighter pilots with episodic neck pain. Aviat Space Environ Med 2008; 79: 947-952
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Leung AK. Hazards of break dancing. N Y State J Med 1984; 84: 592
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Makela M, Heliovaara M, Sievers K, Impivaara O, Knekt P, Aromaa A. Prevalence, determinants, and consequences of chronic neck pain in Finland. Am J Epidemiol 1991; 134: 1356-1367
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 McBride DQ, Lehman LP, Mangiardi JR. Break-dancing neck. N Engl J Med 1985; 312: 186
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Moses J, Shannon M. Back pain, vomiting after break-dance mishap. Hosp Pract (Off Ed) 1985; 20: 100K-100L 100P
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Nikander R, Malkia E, Parkkari J, Heinonen A, Starck H, Ylinen J. Dose-response relationship of-specific training to reduce chronic neck pain and disability. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006; 38: 2068-2074
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Nordin M, Carragee EJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Weiner SS, Hurwitz EL, Peloso PM, Guzman J, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Côté P, Cassidy JD, Haldeman S. Assessment of neck pain and its associated disorders: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. J Manip Physiol Ther 2009; 32: S117-S140
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 O’Leary S, Cagnie B, Reeve A, Jull G, Elliott JM. Is there altered activity of the extensor muscles in chronic mechanical neck pain? A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2011; 92: 929-934
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Ramirez B, Masella PA, Fiscina B, Lala VR, Edwards MD. Breaker’s neck. Jama 1984; 252: 3366-3367
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Renkawitz T, Boluki D, Grifka J. The association of low back pain, neuromuscular imbalance, and trunk extension strength in athletes. Spine J 2006; 6: 673-683
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Reynolds J, Marsh D, Koller H, Zenenr J, Bannister G. Cervical range of movement in relation to neck dimension. Eur Spine J 2009; 18: 863-868
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Rezasoltani A, Ylinen J, Bakhtiary AH, Norozi M, Montazeri M. Cervical muscle strength measurement is dependent on the location of thoracic support. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42: 379-382
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Salo PK, Ylinen JJ, Malkia EA, Kautiainen H, Hakkinen AH. Isometric strength of the cervical flexor, extensor, and rotator muscles in 220 healthy females aged 20 to 59 years. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2006; 36: 495-502
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Seng KY, Lam PM, Lee VS. Acceleration effects on neck muscle strength: pilots vs. non-pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med 2003; 74: 164-168
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Sovelius R, Oksa J, Rintala H, Huhtala H, Ylinen J, Siitonen S. Trampoline exercise vs. strength training to reduce neck strain in fighter pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med 2006; 77: 20-25
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Vernon H. The Neck Disability Index: state-of-the-art, 1991–2008. J Manip Physiol Ther 2008; 31: 491-502
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Webb A, Darekar A, Rassoulian H. The influence of age, anthropometrics and range of motion on the morphometry of the synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axial joints: a pilot study. Eur Spine J 2011; 20: 542-549
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Webb AL, Rassoulian H, Mitchell BS. Morphometry of the synovial folds of the lateral atlanto-axial joints: the anatomical basis for understanding their potential role in neck pain. Surg Radiol Anat 2012; 34: 115-124
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Williams MA, McCarthy CJ, Chorti A, Cooke MW, Gates S. A systematic review of reliability and validity studies of methods for measuring active and passive cervical range of motion. J Manip Physiol Ther 2010; 33: 138-155
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Ylinen J, Salo P, Nykanen M, Kautiainen H, Hakkinen A. Decreased isometric neck strength in women with chronic neck pain and the repeatability of neck strength measurements. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004; 85: 1303-1308
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Ylinen JJ, Hakkinen AH, Takala EP, Nykänen MJ, Kautiainen HJ, Mälkiä EA, Pohjolainen TH, Karppi SL, Airaksinen OV. Effects of neck muscle training in women with chronic neck pain: One-year follow-up study. J Strength Cond Res 2006; 20: 6-13
    PubMedGoogle Scholar