Anterior Neck Flexors Strength Test

​TESTING FOR:

​

To assess the strength of the neck flexors (SCM, anterior scalene, supra and infrahyoids, longus colli and capitis, and rectus capitis anterior).

PROCEDURE:

The client is supine.

The client abducts their arm to 90°, flexes the elbows to 90°, and rests their dorsal hands on the table.

The client tucks their chin and then lifts their head off the table.

The client keeps the head lifted off the table (Grade 3). The client resists therapist posteriorly-directed pressure (Grade 5).

POSITIVE SIGN:

Weakness of Anterior Neck Flexors if the client is unable to keep the neck in flexion against gravity or the therapist’s pressure.