Comparative Assessment of a Neck Attachment Versus Conventional Exercises for Suprahyoid Muscles Strengthening

A newly developed neck attachment (NA) with a hand-held dynamometer has been validated for measuring neck muscle strength. Moreover, the device may serve as a tool for strengthening the suprahyoid muscles (SHM). However, no study has compared its efficacy with established SHM-strengthening exercises such as head-raising exercise (HRE), chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), and forehead exercise for the suprahyoid muscles (FESM). This study aimed to compare electromyographic (EMG) activity in the SHM, infrahyoid muscles (IHM), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) during NA and conventional exercises. EMG activity of the SHM, IHM, and SCM was measured in 16 healthy young adults (19.4 ± 1.2 years) during NA, HRE, CTAR, and FESM. Participants performed NA in a comfortable chin-down position as hard as possible. Results showed that SHM EMG activity was highest during NA, followed by CTAR, FESM, and HRE. Moreover, NA elicited the greatest EMG activity in the IHM and SCM. These findings indicate that NA engages both head and neck flexor muscles, with the SCM acting as the primary mover and the IHM providing additional support. Therefore, NA induces the highest EMG activity in the SHM, IHM, and SCM, demonstrating its potential as an effective SHM-strengthening device. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal exercise intensity for SHM-strengthening.