Effects of a Classroom-Integrated Exercise Program on Neck Health and Performance in Dental Students

This non-randomized controlled intervention study aims to evaluate the effects of a six-week structured exercise program integrated into anatomy laboratory sessions on neck pain, neck-related disability, musculoskeletal symptoms, physical performance, and laboratory performance among first- and second-year dental students at Giresun University. Second-year students will constitute the intervention group, while first-year students will serve as controls and continue their routine educational activities. The intervention consists of five-minute exercise sessions performed twice weekly before anatomy laboratory classes for six weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at the end of the intervention, with additional assessments of neck pain and disability at week three and six.

Inclusion Criteria: * Being a first- or second-year dental student at Giresun University. * Being older than 18 years. * Providing voluntary informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed cervical disc herniation * Rheumatological disease * History of neck trauma * Receiving regular physiotherapy * Chronic neurological disease