@article{ref1,
title="Exploring the relationship between neck flexion and neck problems in occupational populations: a systematic review of the literature",
journal="Ergonomics",
year="2021",
author="Norasi, Hamid and Tetteh, Emmanuel and Sarker, Pramiti and Mirka, Gary A. and Hallbeck, M. Susan",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the relationship between occupational neck flexion angles and neck problems. The synthesized findings were used to answer three research questions: 1) Is there a positive/negative relationship between neck flexion and neck problems? 2) What is the appropriate angular threshold for neck flexion as a risk factor for neck problems? 3) What are the gaps in our current knowledge? A review of 21 papers revealed 1) a consistent positive correlation between neck flexion and neck problems, and 2) a neck flexion angle of 20° as the most evidence-based (not necessarily the best) cut-off angle separating high- and low-risk neck flexion postures. Future research should focus on the 1) continuous collection of three-dimensional neck postures through longitudinal studies to quantify cumulative exposures of neck postures, and 2) development of standard descriptions of &quot;neck problems&quot; and &quot;neck flexion&quot; to facilitate the development of a dose-response relationship.   Practitioner Summary: Practitioners depend on thresholds for evaluating neck postural exposure using work assessment tools; however, the scientific basis for this is unclear. This systematic review investigated the angular threshold for neck flexion and found 20° of neck flexion with the greatest evidence-based support as the threshold for high-risk neck postural exposure.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0014-0139",
doi="10.1080/00140139.2021.1976847",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.1976847"
}