proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques hold-relax HR

and hold-relax-antagonist contraction (HR-AC) stretching procedures

(HR)
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
hold-relax (HR)
hold-relax-antagonist contraction (HR-AC)
stretching procedures

Journal List
J Athl Train
v.32(1); Jan-Mar 1997
PMC1319233

J Athl Train. 1997 Jan-Mar; 32(1): 3439.

PMCID: PMC1319233

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Techniques in Sports Medicine: A Reassessment
Paul R. Surburg, PhD, RPT

John W. Schrader, HSD, ATC

Copyright and License information

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Page 38
 Page 38

Get a printable copy (PDF file) of the complete article (1.3M). Links to
PubMed are also available for Selected References.

Articles from Journal of Athletic Training are provided here courtesy

of National Athletic Trainers Association

Similar articles in PubMed

Muscle activation during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques.[Am J Phys
Med. 1987]
Effect of PNF stretch techniques on knee flexor muscle EMG activity in older adults.[J Electromyogr Kinesiol.
2002]
Differential responses to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch techniques.[Med Sci Sports
Exerc. 1990]
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching : mechanisms and clinical implications.[Sports Med. 2006]
Feasibility of physical training after myocardial infarction and its effect on return to work, morbidity and
mortality.[Acta Med Scand Suppl. 1976]

See reviews...See all...

Cited by other articles in PMC

Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation of Ankle Plantar Flexors Spasticity: A 3-Month Study with Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation[Frontiers in Neurorobotics. 2016]
Effect of joint mobilization using KEOMT and PNF on a patient with CLBP and a lumbar transitional vertebra: a
case study[Journal of Physical Therapy Sc...]
Strength-Training Protocols to Improve Deficits in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized
Controlled Trial[Journal of Athletic Training. ...]
Evaluation of effects of shoulder girdle training on strength and performance of activities of daily living in
patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease[International Journal of Chron...]
Chiropractic management of a patient with postoperative lateral retinacular release using a multimodal
approach: a case report[Journal of Chiropractic Medici...]

See all...

Links
PubMed
 Recent Activity
ClearTurn Off

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching : mechanisms and clinical i...

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching : mechanisms and clinical implications.

Sports Med. 2006;36(11):929-39.

PubMed

The efficacy of two modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretchin...

The efficacy of two modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques in subjects with
reduced hamstring muscle length.

Physiother Theory Pract. 2010 May;26(4):240-50. doi: 10.3109/09593980903015292.

PubMed

Immediate effects of quantified hamstring stretching: hold-relax proprioceptive ...

Immediate effects of quantified hamstring stretching: hold-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

versus static stretching.

Phys Ther Sport. 2011 Aug;12(3):122-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2011.02.006. Epub 2011 Apr 15.

PubMed

A NOVEL APPROACH FOR THE REVERSAL OF CHRONIC APPARENT HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS: A CAS...

A NOVEL APPROACH FOR THE REVERSAL OF CHRONIC APPARENT HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS: A CASE REPORT.

Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Oct;10(5):723-33.

PubMed

Re-examination of the possible role of Golgi tendon organ and muscle spindle ref...

Re-examination of the possible role of Golgi tendon organ and muscle spindle reflexes in proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation muscle stretching.

Sports Biomech. 2004 Jan;3(1):159-83.

PubMed
 See more...

Support CenterSupport Center

:
Journal
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
An International Journal of Physical Therapy
Volume 26, 2010 - Issue 4

The efficacy of two modified

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
stretching techniques in subjects with
reduced hamstring muscle length
James W Youdas , PT, MS, Kristin M Haeflinger , BS, Melissa K Kreun , BA, Andrew M
Holloway , BA, Christine M Kramer , BS & John H Hollman , PT, PhD
Pages 240-250 | Accepted 23 Apr 2009, Published online: 16 Apr 2010
Download citation

http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09593980903015292
Difference scores in knee extension angle and electromyographic (EMG)
activity were quantified before and after modified proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax (HR) and hold-relax-antagonist
contraction (HR-AC) stretching procedures in 35 healthy individuals with
reduced hamstring muscle length bilaterally (knee extension angle <160).
Participants were randomly assigned each PNF procedure to opposite lower
extremities. Knee extension values were measured by using a goniometer.
EMG data were collected for 10 seconds before and immediately after each
PNF stretching technique and normalized to maximum voluntary isometric
contraction (% MVIC). A significant time by stretch-type interaction was
detected (F1,34 = 21.1; p < 0.001). Angles of knee extension for HR and HR-AC
were not different prior to stretching (p = 0.45). Poststretch knee extension
angle was greater in the HR-AC condition than the HR condition (p < 0.007).
The proportion of subjects who exceeded the minimal detectable change
(MDC95) with the HR-AC stretch (97%) did not differ (p = 0.07) from the
proportion who exceeded the MDC95 with the HR stretch (80%). Because EMG
activation increased (p < 0.013) after the HR-AC procedure, it is doubtful a
relationship exists between range of motion improvement after stretching and
inhibition of the hamstrings. On average the 10-second modified HR procedure
produced an 11 gain in knee extension angle within a single stretch session.

;;;;;
Format: Abstract
Send to
Sports Med. 2006;36(11):929-39.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching : mechanisms
and clinical implications.
Sharman MJ1, Cresswell AG, Riek S.
Author information
Abstract
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques are commonly used in the
athletic and clinical environments to enhance both active and passive range of motion (ROM) with
a view to optimising motor performance and rehabilitation. PNF stretching is positioned in the
literature as the most effective stretching technique when the aim is to increase ROM, particularly
in respect to short-term changes in ROM. With due consideration of the heterogeneity across the
applied PNF stretching research, a summary of the findings suggests that an 'active' PNF
stretching technique achieves the greatest gains in ROM, e.g. utilising a shortening contraction of
the opposing muscle to place the target muscle on stretch, followed by a static contraction of the
target muscle. The inclusion of a shortening contraction of the opposing muscle appears to have
the greatest impact on enhancing ROM. When including a static contraction of the target muscle,
this needs to be held for approximately 3 seconds at no more than 20% of a maximum voluntary
contraction. The greatest changes in ROM generally occur after the first repetition and in order to
achieve more lasting changes in ROM, PNF stretching needs to be performed once or twice per
week. The superior changes in ROM that PNF stretching often produces compared with other
stretching techniques has traditionally been attributed to autogenic and/or reciprocal inhibition,
although the literature does not support this hypothesis. Instead, and in the absence of a
biomechanical explanation, the contemporary view proposes that PNF stretching influences the
point at which stretch is perceived or tolerated. The mechanism(s) underpinning the change in
stretch perception or tolerance are not known, although pain modulation has been suggested.
;;;;;
Sports Biomech. 2004 Jan;3(1):159-83.
Re-examination of the possible role of Golgi tendon
organ and muscle spindle reflexes in proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation muscle stretching.
Chalmers G1.
Author information
Abstract
Literature concerning the theoretical role of spinal reflex circuits and their sensorimotor signals in
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) muscle stretching techniques was examined.
Reviewed data do not support the assertion commonly made in PNF literature that contraction of
a stretched muscle prior to further stretch, or contraction of opposing muscles during muscle
stretch, produces relaxation of the stretched muscle. Further, following contraction of a stretched
muscle, inhibition of the stretch reflex response lasts only 1 s. Studies examined suggested that
decreases in the response amplitude of the Hoffmann and muscle stretch reflexes following a
contraction of a stretched muscle are not due to the activation of Golgi tendon organs, as
commonly purported, but instead may be due to presynaptic inhibition of the muscle spindle
sensory signal. The current view on the complex manner by which the spinal cord processes
proprioceptive signals was discussed. The ability of acute PNF stretching procedures to often
produce a joint range of motion greater than that observed with static stretching must be
explained by mechanisms other than the spinal processing of proprioceptive information. Studies
reviewed indicate that changes in the ability to tolerate stretch and/or the viscoelastic properties
of the stretched muscle, induced by PNF procedures, are possible mechanisms.
PMID:

15079994

DOI:

10.1080/14763140408522836
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
;;;;;
Phys Ther Sport. 2011 Aug;12(3):122-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2011.02.006. Epub 2011 Apr 15.
Immediate effects of quantified hamstring stretching:
hold-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
versus static stretching.
Puentedura EJ1, Huijbregts PA, Celeste S, Edwards D, In A, Landers MR, Fernandez-de-
Las-Penas C.
Author information
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To compare the immediate effects of a hold-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
stretching (HR-PNF) versus static stretch (SS) on hamstring flexibility in healthy, asymptomatic
subjects.
SUBJECTS:
Thirty subjects (13 female; mean age 25.7 3.0, range 22-37) without excessive hamstring
muscle flexibility were randomly assigned to one of two stretch groups: HR-PNF or SS.
METHODS:
The left leg was treated as a control and did not receive any intervention. The right leg was
measured for ROM pre- and post-stretch interventions, with subjects receiving randomly assigned
interventions one week apart. Data were analyzed with a 3 (intervention: HR-PNF, SS,
control) 2 (time: pre and post) factorial ANOVA with repeated measures and appropriate post-
hoc analyses.
RESULTS:
A significant interaction was observed between intervention and time for hamstring extensibility,
F(2,58) = 25.229, p < .0005. Main effect of intervention for the tested leg was not significant,
p = .782 indicating that there was no difference between the two stretch conditions. However,
main effect for time was significant (p < .0005), suggesting that hamstring extensibility (for both
stretching conditions) after intervention was greater than before.
CONCLUSION:
No significant differences were found when comparing the effectiveness of HR-PNF and SS
techniques. Both stretching methods resulted in significant immediate increases in hamstring
length.
Copyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID:

21802038

DOI:

10.1016/j.ptsp.2011.02.006
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;;;

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax (HR) and hold-relax-

antagonist contraction (HR-AC) stretching procedures
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax (HR) and hold-relax-
antagonist contraction (HR-AC) stretching procedures