Journal ArticleDOI
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching : mechanisms and clinical implications.
TLDR
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 ofThe target muscle.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.read more
Citations
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Flexibility exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia
Soo Y. Kim,Angela J Busch,Tom J. Overend,Candice L Schachter,Ina van der Spuy,Catherine Boden,Suelen Meira Góes,Heather J.A. Foulds,Julia Bidonde +8 more
TL;DR: Very low-certainty evidence showed that compared with land-based aerobic training, flexibility exercise training (five trials with 266 participants) provides no clinically important benefits with regard to HRQoL, pain intensity, fatigue, stiffness, and physical function.
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FroggyBobby: An exergame to support children with motor problems practicing motor coordination exercises during therapeutic interventions
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Rehabilitation strategies for wrist sensorimotor control impairment: From theory to practice.
TL;DR: This article proposes promising rehabilitation strategies toward restoring wrist joint conscious and unconscious SM control impairments, integrating current research evidence with clinical practice, and these strategies require more rigorous evaluation in clinical trials.
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Leg Dominance Effects on Postural Control When Performing Challenging Balance Exercises.
TL;DR: It is supported that leg dominance effects should be considered when assessing or training lower-limb neuromuscular control and suggest that specific attention should be given to diagonal plane movements.
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Comparison of effects of static, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mulligan stretching on hip flexion range of motion: a randomized controlled trial.
TL;DR: A 4-week stretching intervention is beneficial for increasing hip flexion ROM in bilateral hamstring tightness, however, PNF stretching and Mulligan TSLR technique are superior to typical static stretching.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
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Journal ArticleDOI
Reversal of the influence of group Ib afferents from plantaris on activity in medial gastrocnemius muscle during locomotor activity
Keir G. Pearson,David F. Collins +1 more
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Journal ArticleDOI
Biomechanical responses to repeated stretches in human hamstring muscle in vivo
TL;DR: The data show that the method employed is a useful tool for measuring biomechanical variables during a stretch maneuver and may provide a more detailed method to examine skeletal muscle flexibility.