Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching: Mechanisms and clinical implications

Sports Medicine

Volumn 36, Issue 11, 2006, Pages 929-939

  Sharman, Melanie J ^a   Cresswell, Andrew G ^a   Riek, Stephan ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

AUTOGENIC TRAINING; HUMAN; MOTOR PERFORMANCE; MUSCLE CONTRACTION; NERVE CELL PLASTICITY; NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION; PROPRIOCEPTION; RANGE OF MOTION; REVIEW; STRETCHING;

EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE; HUMANS; MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES; PROPRIOCEPTION; QUEENSLAND;

EID: 33750952262     PISSN: 01121642     EISSN: 01121642     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2165/00007256-200636110-00002     Document Type: Review

References (80)

1. McAtee RE, Charland J. Facilitated stretching: assisted and unassisted PNF stretching made easy. 2nd ed. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1999
2. Sherrington CS. On plastic tonus and proprioceptive reflexes. Q J Exp Physiol 1908; 2: 109-56
3. Kabat H. Studies of neuromuscular dysfunction, X: treatment of chronic multiple sclerosis with neostigmine and intensive muscle re-education. Perm Found Med Bull 1947; 5 (1): 1-13
4. Kabat H, Knott M. Proprioceptive facilitation technics for treatment of paralysis. Phys Ther Rev 1953; 33 (2): 53-64
5. Knott M. Specialized neuromuscular technics in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Phys Ther Rev 1952; 32 (2): 73-5
6. Knott M, Barufaldi D. Treatment of whiplash injuries. Phys Ther Rev 1961; 41: 573-7
7. Voss DE, Knott M, Kabat H. The application of neuromuscular facilitation in the treatment of shoulder injuries. Phys Ther Rev 1955; 33: 536-41
8. Etnyre BR, Abraham LD. Gains in range of ankle dorsiflexion using three popular stretching techniques. Am J Phys Med 1986; 65 (4): 189-96
9. Funk DC, Swank AM, Mikla BM, et al. Impact of prior exercise on hamstring flexibility: a comparison of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and static stretching. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (3): 489-92
10. Condon SM, Hutton RS. Soleus muscle electromyographic activity and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during four stretching procedures. Phys Ther 1987; 67: 24-30
11. Surburg PR, Schrader JW. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques in sports medicine: a reassessment. J Athl Train 1997; 32 (1): 34-9
12. Lucas RC, Koslow R. Comparative study of static, dynamic and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques on flexibility. Percept Mot Skills 1984; 58: 615-8
13. Magnusson SP, Aagard P, Simonsen E, et al. A biomechanical evaluation of cyclic and static stretch in human skeletal muscle. Int J Sports Med 1998; 19: 310-6
14. Wallin D, Ekblom B, Grahn R, et al. Improvement of muscle flexibility: a comparison between two techniques. Am J Sports Med 1985; 13 (4): 263-8
15. Hardy L, Jones D. Dynamic flexibility and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Res Q 1986; 57 (2): 150-3
16. Sady SP, Wortman M, Blanke D. Flexibility training: ballistic, static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1982; 63: 261-3
17. Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagard P, et al. Mechanical and physiological responses to stretching with and without preisometric contraction in human skeletal muscle. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1996; 77: 373-8
18. Ferber R, Gravelle DC, Osternig LR. Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretch techniques on trained and untrained older adults. J Aging Phys Act 2002; 10: 132-42
19. Prentice WE. A comparison of static stretching and PNF stretching for improving hip joint flexibility. Athletic Training 1983; 18: 56-9
20. Ferber R, Osternig L, Gravelle D. Effect of PNF stretch techniques on knee flexor muscle EMG activity in older adults. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2002; 12 (5): 391-7
21. Etnyre BR, Lee EJ. Chronic and acute flexibility of men and women using three different stretching techniques. Res Q 1988; 59 (3): 222-8
22. Tanigawa MC. Comparison of the hold-relax procedure and passive mobilization on increasing muscle length. Phys Ther 1972; 52 (7): 725-35
23. Feland JB, Myrer JW, Merrill RM. Acute changes in hamstring flexibility: PNF versus static stretch in senior athletes. Phys Ther Sport 2001; 2: 186-93
24. Cornelius WL, Hinson MM. The relationship between isometric contractions of hip extensors and subsequent flexibility in males. J Sports Med 1980; 20: 75-80
25. Cornelius WL, Rauschuber MR. The relationship between isometric contraction durations and improvement in acute hip joint flexibility. J Appl Sport Sci Res 1987; 1: 39-41
26. Feland JB, Marin HN. Effect of submaximal contraction intensity in contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching. Br J Sports Med 2004; 38: e18
27. Hanten WP, Chandler SA. Effects of myofascial release leg pull and sagittal plane isometric contract-relax techniques on passive straight-leg raise angle. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1994; 20 (3): 138-44
28. Hartley-O'Brien SJ. Six mobilization exercises for active range of hip flexion. Res Q Exerc Sport 1980; 51 (4): 625-35
29. Burke DG, Holt LE, Rasmussen R, et al. Effects of hot or cold water immersion and modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation flexibility exercise on hamstring length. J Athl Train 2001; 36 (1): 16-9
30. Spernoga SG, Uhl TL, Arnold BL, et al. Duration of maintained hamstring flexibility after a one-time, modified hold-relax stretching protocol. J Athl Train 2001; 36 (1): 44-8
31. Grover J, Gellman H, Waters RL. The effect of a flexion contracture of the elbow on the ability to transfer in patients who have quadriplegia at the sixth cervical level. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1996; 78: 1397-400
32. Magnusson SP. Passive properties of human skeletal muscle during stretching maneuvers. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1998; 8: 65-77
33. Wenos DL, Konin JG. Controlled warm-up intensity enhances hip range of motion. J Strength Cond Res 2004; 18 (3): 529-33
34. Cornelius WL. Stretch evoked EMG activity by isometric contraction and submaximal concentric contraction. Athletic Training 1983; 18: 106-9
35. Holcomb WR. Improved stretching with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. J Strength Cond Res 2000; 22 (1): 59-61
36. Rowlands AV, Marginson V, Lee J. Chronic flexibility gains: effect of isometric contraction duration during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques. Res Q Exerc Sport 2003; 74 (1): 47-52
37. Nelson KC, Cornelius WL. The relationship between isometric contraction durations and improvement in shoulder joint range of motion. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1991; 31 (3): 385-8
38. Etnyre BR, Lee EJ. Comments on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques. Res Q 1987; 58 (2): 184-8
39. McCarthy PW, Olsen JP, Smeby IH. Effects of contract-relax stretching procedures on active range of motion of the cervical spine in the transverse plane. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 1997; 12 (2): 136-8
40. Prentice WE. An electromyographic analysis of the effectiveness of heat or cold and stretching for inducing relaxation in injured muscle. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1982; 3 (3): 133-40
41. Chalmers G. Re-examination of the possible role of Golgi tendon organ and muscle spindle reflexes in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation muscle stretching. Sports Biomech 2004; 3 (1): 159-83
42. Laporte Y, Lloyd DPC. Nature and significance of the reflex connections established by large afferent fibers of muscular origin. Am J Physiol 1952; 169: 609-21
43. Markos PD. Ipsilateral and contralateral effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques on hip motion and electromyographic activity. Phys Ther 1979; 59 (11): 1366-73
44. Edin BB, Vallbo AB. Muscle afferent responses to isometric contractions and relaxations in humans. J Neurophysiol 1990; 63 (6): 1307-13
45. Chalmers G. Do golgi tendon organs really inhibit muscle activity at high force levels to save muscles from injury and adapt with strength training? Sports Biomech 2004; 1 (2): 239-49
46. Watt DGD, Stauffer EK, Taylor A, et al. Analysis of muscle receptor connections by spike-triggered averaging 1: spindle primary and tendon organ afferents. J Neurophysiol 1976; 39 (6): 1375-92
47. Zytnicki D, Lafleur J, Horcholle-Bossavit G, et al. Reduction of Ib autogenetic inhibition in motoneurons during contractions of an ankle extensor muscle in the cat. J Neurophysiol 1990; 64 (5): 1380-9
48. Pratt CA. Evidence of positive force feedback among hindlimb extensors in the intact standing cat. J Neurophysiol 1995; 73 (6): 2578-83
49. Pearson KG, Collins DF. Reversal of the influence of group Ib afferents from plantaris on activity in medial gastrocnemius muscle during locomotor activity. J Neurophysiol 1993; 70 (3): 1009-17
50. Smith JL, Hutton RS, Eldred E. Postcontraction changes in sensitivity of muscle afferents to static and dynamic stretch. Brain Res 1974; 78: 193-202
51. Gollhofer A, Schopp A, Rapp W, et al. Changes in reflex excitability following isometric contraction in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 1998; 77: 89-97
52. Katz R, Penicaud A, Rossi A. Reciprocal Ia inhibition between elbow flexors and extensors in the human. J Physiol 1991; 437 (1): 269-86
53. Iles JF, Pisini JV. Cortical modulation of transmission in spinal reflex pathways of man. J Physiol 1992; 455 (1): 425-46
54. Hultborn H, Illert M, Santini M. Convergence on interneurons mediating the reciprocal Ia inhibition of motor neurons. Acta Physiol Scand 1976; 96: 368-91
55. Day BL, Marsden CD, Obeso JA, et al. Reciprocal inhibition between the muscles of the human forearm. J Physiol 1984; 349 (1): 519-34
56. Baret M, Katz R, Lamy JC, et al. Evidence for recurrent inhibition of reciprocal inhibition from soleus to tibialis anterior in man. Exp Brain Res 2003; 152: 133-6
57. Crone C, Nielsen J. Spinal mechanisms in man contributing to reciprocal inhibition during voluntary dorsiflexion of the foot. J Physiol 1990; 416 (1): 255-72
58. Hardy L. Improving active range of hip flexion. Res Q 1985; 56 (2): 111-4
59. Osternig LR, Roberston RN, Troxel RK, et al. Muscle activation during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques. Am J Phys Med 1987; 66 (5): 298-307
60. Moore MA, Hutton RS. Electromyographic investigation of muscle stretching techniques. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1980; 12 (5): 322-9
61. Osternig LR, Roberston RN, Troxel RK, et al. Differential responses to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch techniques. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1990; 22 (1): 106-11
62. Etnyre BR, Abraham LD. H-reflex changes during static stretching and two variations of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1986; 63 (2): 174-9
63. Guissard N, Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Muscle stretching and motoneuron excitability. Eur J Appl Physiol 1988; 58 (1-2): 47-52
64. Zehr EP. Considerations for use of the Hoffmann reflex in exercise studies. Eur J Appl Physiol 2002; 86: 455-68
65. Taylor DC, Dalton JD, Seaber AV, et al. Viscoelastic properties of muscle-tendon units. Am J Sports Med 1990; 18 (3): 300-9
66. McHugh MP, Magnusson SP, Gleim GW, et al. Viscoelastic stress relaxation in human skeletal muscle. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1992; 24: 1375-82
67. Magnusson SP, Aagard P, Simonsen E, et al. Determinants of musculoskeletal flexibility: Viscoelastic properties, cross-sectional area, EMG and stretch tolerance. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1997; 7: 195-202
68. Stromberg DD, Wiederhielm CA. Viscoelastic description of a collagenous tissue in simple elongation. J Appl Physiol 1969; 26 (6): 857-62
69. Reid DA, McNair P. Passive force, angle, and stiffness changes after stretching of hamstring muscles. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36 (11): 1944-8
70. Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagaard P, et al. Biomechanical responses to repeated stretches in human hamstring muscle in vivo. Am J Sports Med 1996; 24 (5): 622-8
71. Halbertsma JP, Goeken LN. Stretching exercises: effect on passive extensibility and stiffness in short hamstrings of healthy subjects. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1994; 75: 976-81
72. Halbertsma JP, Bolhuis AI, Goeken LN. Sport stretching: effect on passive muscle stiffness of short hamstrings. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1996; 77 (7): 688-92
73. Moller M, Ekstrand J, Oberg B, et al. Duration of stretching effect on range of motion in lower extremities. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1985; 66: 171-3
74. Rosenberg BS, Cornelius WL, Jackson AW. The effects of cryotherapy and PNF stretching techniques on hip extensor flexibility in elderly females. J Phys Educ Sport Sci 1990; 2 (2): 31-6
75. Sullivan MK, Dejulia JJ, Worrell TW. Effect of pelvic position and stretching method on hamstring muscle flexibility. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1992; 24 (12): 1383-9
76. Bonnar BP, Deivert RG, Gould TE. The relationship between isometric contraction durations during hold-relax stretching and improvement of hamstring flexibility. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2004; 44 (3): 258-61
77. Schuback B, Hooper J, Salisbury L. A comparison of a self-stretch incorporating proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation components and a therapist-applied PNF-technique on hamstring flexibility. Physiotherapy 2004; 90 (3): 151-7
78. Cornelius WL, Ebrahim K, Watson J, et al. The effects of cold application and modified PNF stretching techniques on hip joint flexibility in college males. Res Q Exerc Sport 1992; 63 (3): 311-4
79. Schmitt GD, Pelham TW, Holt LE. A comparison of selected protocols during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching. Clin Kinesiol 1999; 53 (1): 16-21
80. Moore MA, Kukulka G. Depression of hoffmann reflexes following voluntary contraction and implications for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy. Phys Ther 1991; 71 (4): 321-9