OBJECTIVE: To describe the natural variation of the active and passive cervical range of motion (ROM) in asymptomatic subjects over a 3-wk period.

STUDY DESIGN: One-way repeated measures of active and passive cervical ROM.

SETTING: Institute of Medical Biology (Center of Biomechanics) at Odense University, Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty asymptomatic students from the University of Odense. Male/female ratio, 20:20; mean age, 23.9 yr (range, 20-30 yr).

INTERVENTION: Measurements of the active and passive cervical ROM were taken using the electrogoniometer CA-6000 Spine Motion Analyzer. Each subject was measured six times during a 3-wk period. The measurements were performed at the same time of the day. The device gives the maximum end ROM for the motion plane examined.

RESULTS: The natural variation in active and passive ROM was found to be in the order of chi +/- 20 degrees for flexion/extension, chi +/- 12 degrees for lateral flexion and chi +/- 14 degrees for rotation.

CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic subjects, the individual natural variation is quite large for active and passive cervical flexion/extension, lateral flexion and rotation. When measuring individual patients, one should allow for a natural variation of 12-20 degrees.

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