How does forward head posture influence cervical spine loading?

• A. It increases anterior load and neck extensor demand, accelerating degenerative changes.
• B. It reduces neck muscle activity and stabilizes the spine.
• C. It only affects the lumbar spine.
• D. It has no impact on spinal loading.

Answer: (A)

Forward head posture shifts the head’s weight forward of the cervical spine, creating a larger bending moment at the neck. To keep the head upright, the neck extensor muscles must work harder, so their activity increases. That greater muscle activity adds compressive and shear loads through the cervical joints and discs. Over time, the combination of higher loading and sustained muscle effort can contribute to wear and degenerative changes in the cervical spine. This is why the best description is that forward head posture increases anterior load and neck extensor demand. It wouldn’t reduce muscle activity, it doesn’t only affect the lumbar spine, and it does influence how the cervical spine is loaded.