Association Mechanism and Exercise Intervention Study of Suboccipital Muscle Dysfunction with Visual Fatigue

Abstract

With the widespread use of digital devices, visual fatigue has become a significant issue affecting the health and work efficiency of modern populations. This article describes the anatomical characteristics of the suboccipital muscle group and clarifies its neurophysiological basis as a "sensory organ" rather than merely a motor structure. Based on this understanding, we establish a pathological mechanism model: "forward head posture → sustained tension in the suboccipital muscles → altered muscle spindle sensitivity → impaired head-eye coordination → increased compensatory eye movements → reduced visual stability → visual fatigue." Visual stability relies on the integrated function of the visual, vestibular, and cervical proprioceptive systems. Disruption of proprioceptive input from the neck due to dysfunction of the suboccipital muscles is a key contributor to visual fatigue. Accordingly, we propose a comprehensive exercise intervention program including relaxation of the suboccipital muscles, training of deep neck flexors, head-eye coordination exercises, and balance training, offering practical guidance for clinical applications and future research in sports and health sciences.