Cervical region problems in ney and violin performers and effectiveness of exercise training

This study was planned to observe the effectiveness of exercise training given to Ney and Violin performers with cervical region problems. A total of 40 person consisting of 20 Violins and 20 Ney performers were evaluated as two different groups. The exercise training program was applied to both groups for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. Musician's informations such as gender, age, height, body weight and daily/annual usage periods of the instrument; was recorded. Goniometric measurement for joint range of motion, digital muscle dynamometer for muscle strength, visual analog scale for pain, Northwick Park Questionnarie for functional status, Short Form-36 scale for life quality, tape measure for flexibility, handgrip dynamometer for grip force were used. Measurements were repeated twice as before and after exercise trainings. As a result of statistical analysis; decrease in pain levels in both groups, increase in joint of range of motion in the direction of neck flexion, significant increases in the middle of left trapezius, anterior and middle part of the right deltoideus, flexor muscle of the neck and left handgrip strength, significant results in positive direction in terms of jaw-sternum and jaw-wall distances and social function scores of quality of life were observed. An increase was provided for Ney players in the right and for violin users in the left lateral flexion joint movement range of the neck. An increase was provided at the upper part of the left trapezius and the front part of the left deltoideus in the Ney users and at the right serratus anterior, the middle part of the right trapezius and neck extensor muscle strength in the violin users. In terms of emotional well-being score of the quality of life scale for Ney users, a significant positive difference was found. There was no significant difference in the other parameters evaluated. As a result, we think that exercise training in Ney and Violin performers may be effective in same parameters, especially pain, although not all cervical region problems. We believe that more comprehensive and longer follow up studies are needed to see the long term effects of exercise training. Key words: Ney, Violin, Exercise Training, Cervical Region Problems