During the deep neck flexor endurance test, a patient with neck pain is typically able to hold the isometric contraction for about how long?

• A. 24 seconds
• B. 35 seconds
• C. 40 seconds
• D. 50 seconds

Answer: (A)

Endurance of the deep neck flexors is what this test assesses. In people with neck pain, these stabilizing muscles often fatigue quickly, so the sustained isometric chin-tuck position is typically held for only about 24 seconds. This shorter hold time reflects reduced endurance rather than pure strength and aligns with what’s commonly seen in symptomatic individuals. By contrast, asymptomatic individuals or those with better endurance tend to sustain the contraction much longer, often well over 30 seconds (and sometimes into the 40–60 second range, depending on the protocol). So, an approximate 24-second hold best fits the pattern seen with neck pain in this test.