Based on the theoretical framework of exercise prescription, this study systematically evaluates the intervention efficacy of exercise rehabilitation techniques at different frequencies on cervical dysfunction in university students with cervical spondylosis, aiming to provide evidence-based support for constructing campus cervical health management programs. A triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted, enrolling 14 university students diagnosed with cervical spondylosis according to ICD-11 criteria. Participants were stratified and randomized into a high-frequency intervention group (ERF), a low-frequency intervention group (ERT), and a matched blank control group with equivalent baseline characteristics. An 8-week structured exercise intervention protocol was implemented, including: (1) Atlanta-occipital joint retraction training; (2) eccentric contraction training of the scalene muscles; (3) isometric contraction training of the deep cervical flexors; and (4) scapular kinetic chain activation training. A multimodal assessment system was employed: the Neck Disability Index (NDI) quantified functional impairment, a three-dimensional motion capture system (Vicon MX) measured C1-C7 segmental range of motion (ROM), and surface electromyography (sEMG) monitored the integrated electromyographic values (iEMG) of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles. Repeated-measures ANOVA and post hoc tests were used for intra- and inter-group difference analys Post-intervention, the experimental groups demonstrated significant improvements compared to the control group in NDI scores (ERT: Δ=12.3±1.7, ERF: Δ=13.1±1.9 vs. control Δ=2.1±0.8, P < 0.001), flexion ROM (ERT: +18.6°±3.2°, ERF: +19.1°±2.9° vs. control +2.3°±1.1°, P < 0.001), and normalized iEMG values (ERT: -42.3%±6.1%, ERF: -45.7%±5.8% vs. control -3.2%±1.6%, P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference in intervention effect size was observed between ERF and ERT. This study demonstrates that the progressive exercise protocol significantly improves cervical biomechanical characteristics, potentially mediated by intervertebral load redistribution and enhanced activation efficiency of deep cervical flexors. The findings confirm that a thrice-weekly intervention frequency achieves the minimal clinically important difference (MCID=10%), providing dose-response evidence for implementing tiered cervical health management strategies in university settings.
Wang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.