{
  "$schema": "https://openexercise.org/schema/v0/exercise.json",
  "aliases": [
    {
      "text": "Head Turns",
      "kind": "common"
    },
    {
      "text": "Cervical Rotation Stretch",
      "kind": "common"
    },
    {
      "text": "Neck Turns",
      "kind": "common"
    }
  ],
  "anatomy": {
    "muscles": [
      {
        "muscle": "sternocleidomastoid",
        "role": "stretched"
      },
      {
        "muscle": "splenius",
        "role": "stretched"
      },
      {
        "muscle": "levator-scapulae",
        "role": "stretched"
      },
      {
        "muscle": "trapezius-upper",
        "role": "stretched"
      }
    ],
    "joints": [
      {
        "joint": "cervical-spine",
        "actions": [
          "rotation"
        ]
      },
      {
        "joint": "thoracic-spine",
        "actions": [
          "isometric-stabilization"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "classification": {
    "modalities": [
      "mobility",
      "flexibility",
      "rehabilitation"
    ],
    "movement_patterns": [
      "stretch",
      "mobility-drill",
      "rotation"
    ],
    "mechanics": "isolation",
    "force": "static",
    "kinetic_chain": "open",
    "laterality": "alternating",
    "planes": [
      "transverse"
    ],
    "contraction": [
      "isometric",
      "dynamic"
    ],
    "level": "beginner"
  },
  "equipment": {
    "optional": [
      "chair"
    ],
    "required": []
  },
  "external_ids": {
    "wger": "1007"
  },
  "id": "oec:neck-rotation-stretch",
  "instructions": {
    "setup": [
      "Sit upright on a chair or stand tall with your shoulders relaxed and pulled gently down and back.",
      "Fix your gaze straight ahead with your chin level and parallel to the floor."
    ],
    "steps": [
      "Slowly turn your head to one side, looking over your shoulder as far as comfortably possible.",
      "Hold the end range for the specified duration without forcing or bouncing.",
      "Smoothly return your head to the neutral starting position.",
      "Repeat the rotation to the opposite side."
    ],
    "breathing": "Breathe smoothly and continuously throughout, exhaling gently as you rotate into the stretch.",
    "cues": [
      "Keep your shoulders down",
      "Rotate smoothly without tilting your chin up or down",
      "Stop at mild tension, never pain"
    ],
    "common_faults": [
      {
        "fault": "Rotating the shoulders and torso along with the head.",
        "correction": "Keep your chest facing forward and isolate the rotation purely to the neck."
      },
      {
        "fault": "Tilting the head sideways or poking the chin forward during rotation.",
        "correction": "Keep the chin level and the head aligned directly over the shoulders throughout the movement."
      }
    ],
    "safety": {
      "precautions": [
        "Avoid rapid or jerky rotations; move at a slow, controlled pace.",
        "Cease immediately if you experience dizziness, numbness, or sharp nerve pain."
      ],
      "spotter": "not-needed"
    }
  },
  "measurement": {
    "duration_counted": "per-side",
    "load": {
      "kind": "none"
    },
    "profiles": [
      {
        "required": [
          "duration"
        ],
        "optional": [
          "reps"
        ]
      },
      {
        "required": [
          "reps"
        ],
        "optional": [
          "duration"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "records": {},
    "reps_counted": "per-side"
  },
  "name": "Neck Rotation Stretch",
  "previous_ids": [
    "oec:head-turns"
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "generated": [
      "/name",
      "/summary",
      "/classification",
      "/anatomy",
      "/equipment",
      "/measurement",
      "/instructions",
      "/setup"
    ],
    "license": "CC-BY-SA-4.0",
    "review": {
      "status": "machine-generated",
      "model": "gemini-3.8-flash",
      "at": "2026-10-31"
    },
    "sources": [
      {
        "title": "wger: Head turns",
        "url": "https://wger.de/en/exercise/1007/view-base",
        "license": "CC-BY-SA-4.0"
      }
    ]
  },
  "setup": {
    "position": "seated"
  },
  "status": "active",
  "summary": "A mobility and flexibility exercise that gently rotates the cervical spine to stretch the neck musculature and improve range of motion."
}