• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2017

Purpose: This study compared and analyzed the effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm extension pattern and leg flexion pattern on the contralateral lower extremity muscles when the patterns were applied to the same subject. Methods: In the study, 35 healthy men and women who understood the PNF patterns were selected as participants. The participants completed the PNF arm extension-abduction-internal rotation pattern and leg flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion pattern in the supine position. While the patients' completed each pattern, the contralateral leg muscle activity was measured to examine the irradiation effect. The maximum isometric contraction time of the muscles to be measured was kept for 5 seconds, and the mean value was obtained by repeating the pattern three times. Results: When the leg flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion pattern was completed, the muscle activity in the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius of the contralateral lower extremity was significantly greater than that found in the PNF arm extension-abduction-internal rotation pattern. Conclusion: The PNF leg flexion pattern showed greater muscle activity on the contralateral lower extremity than the arm extension pattern. Thus, the PNF leg extension pattern is more effective in the activation of the muscles associated with weight-bearing activity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on the activation of three types of mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side. Methods: The target subjects of this study were 19 healthy men who voluntarily agreed to participate in the program. For all subjects, the following four PNF leg patterns were applied while they were in a standing position, and then, the activation of the gluteus medius at the opposite side was measured: (1) flexion abduction internal rotation pattern, (2) flexion adduction external rotation pattern, (3) extension abduction internal rotation pattern, and (4) extension adduction external rotation pattern. In each position, a pattern was executed three times in 5 s, and the average of each measurement was used for the statistics. Results: Among the PNF leg patterns, the activation of the mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side was most significant under the application of the extension abduction internal rotation pattern. The activation of the back muscular fiber was significantly high under the application of the flexion abduction internal rotation pattern. Conclusion: Selective application of PNF leg patterns can improve the functional activity of each mesogluteal fiber.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the most effective way to facilitate the abductor hallucis muscle during PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction. Methods: The study recruited 18 healthy adults. All participants agreed voluntarily to take part in the study following an explanations of its purpose and procedures. They randomly performed the PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction variations in a hook-lying or sitting position. Activation of the abductor hallucis (AbH), adductor hallucis (AdH), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, and the ratio of AbH/AdH, were measured during PNF exercises using electromyography. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare the activation of foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscles during the four PNF exercises. Results: PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction using normal timing was significantly higher in TA compared to PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction using timing for emphasis, regardless of the starting position. The PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction using timing for emphasis in the hook-lying position was significantly higher in AbH than in other exercises. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the ratio of AbH/AdH, it was higher in the hook-lying position. Conclusion: PNF leg pattern-emphasized hallux abduction using timing for emphasis in the hook-lying position can be recommended as a method to optimize the activation of AbH and the ratio of AbH/AdH.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the simultaneous abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on the muscle activity of the ipsilateral trunk and leg during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg flexion, adduction, and external rotation with knee flexion (D1) patterns. Methods: The participants were 20 healthy adult males and females (18 males and 2 females). The maneuvers were performed by a physical therapist who fully understands the PNF leg patterns (D1) and their application in clinical practice. The participants were trained and allowed to practice for 15 minutes prior to applying ADIM, to ensure adequate learning as evidenced by the pressure biofeedback unit. In this study, we measured the muscle activity of the trunk and leg when the PNF leg pattern (D1) was performed by the physical therapist either sustaining or releasing the ADIM. Muscle activity was measured on the right transverse abdominis muscle (TRA), the external abdominal oblique muscle (EO), the internal abdominal oblique muscle (IO), the erector spinae muscle (ES), the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO), the vastus lateralis oblique muscle (VLO), and the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) and compared using the mean values from averaging three repeated measurements. Results: The muscle activity of the transversus abdominis, the external abdominal oblique, the internal abdominal oblique, the vastus medialis oblique, and the vastus lateralis oblique was significantly greater (p < 0.05), and the muscle activity of the erector spinae was significantly less (p < 0.05) during PNF leg pattern (D1) when the ADIM contraction was sustained compared to when it was not. Conclusion: These results suggest that sustaining ADIM during PNF leg pattern (D1) training increases the trunk and leg muscle activity, resulting in more effective training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of arm leg flexion patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the muscle activation of the contralateral lower extremity. Methods: In this study, Electromyogram MP150(Biopac system, USA) was applied to 20 healthy male subjects. Unilateral arm flexion- abduction- external rotation pattern and Unilateral leg flexion- adduction- external rotation with knee flexion pattern were applied within mid range of the supine position for measurement. The muscle activation of vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius(medialis) muscle of the contralateral lower extremity were compared and analyzed during the applications. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows: There was a statistically significant difference in the muscle activation of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris between the arm and leg patterns(P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the muscle activation of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior between the arm and leg patterns(P<0.05). Conclusion: contralateral vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles show the higher muscle activation in the leg pattern than one in the arm pattern.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.285-293
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to confirm that the activation of the contralateral muscles changes according to posture after applying the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation leg pattern. Methods: Ten healthy adults (four males and six females) with no history of current musculoskeletal/neurological injuries were recruited for this study. Abdominal muscle (transverse abdominis) and hip joint muscle (gluteus maximus and gluteus medius) activation was assessed using surface electromyography (Ultium EMG, Noraxon Inc., USA). We evaluated muscle activation during the application of the PNF leg pattern. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21.0 program. Results: The results were found to be statistically significantly different in the 90/90 supine posture and sitting posture for the gluteus maximus (p < 0.05). The results were found to be not statistically significantly different for the transverse abdominis according to posture (p > 0.05). The results were found to be not statistically significantly different for the gluteus medius according to posture (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Application of the PNF leg pattern resulted in a significant change in the muscle activation of the contralateral segment according to posture, and the 90/90 supine posture induced high muscle activation of the gluteus maximus. In addition, the activation of the transverse abdominis was high in all three postures.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower extremity pattern on the dominant leg on muscle activity of the lower extremity supported by the ground. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy males living in Busan. All subjects performed four direction PNF lower extremity patterns, and data were collected by surface electromyography from the gluteus medius (GM), tensor fascia latae (TFL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), and semitendinosus (STD) muscles of the opposite lower extremity during PNF lower extremity pattern. The PNF lower extremity pattern applied to the dominant leg was (1) flexion/adduction/external rotation with knee flexion; (2) extension/abduction/internal rotation with knee extension; (3) flexion/abduction/internal rotation with knee flexion; and (4) extension/adduction/external rotation with knee extension pattern, repeated 3 times per pattern and using the average value of the collected results. Collected muscle activity values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey testing was performed to check between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: GM and TFL flexion/abduction/internal rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. VMO and VLO extension/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee extension was significantly higher than other patterns. STD flexion/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. Conclusion: The study confirms differences in lower extremity muscle activity for the PNF lower extremity pattern, indicating that selective muscle contraction induction is possible using a pattern appropriate to the purpose of treatment.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of opposite lower extremity lateral muscle activation by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise targeting the lower extremities. Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns; initial, end range, and extension patterns; abduction and internal rotation patterns; and initial and end range patterns were applied to the dominant lower extremity. Activation of lateral muscles (multifidus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata, and peroneous longus) of the paralyzed leg was then measured by electromyography (EMG). Results: There were significant differences in lateral muscle activation, depending on the PNF pattern applied, with the differences more significant in flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and end range patterns. Conclusion: PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns can improve lateral muscle activation of one leg in the standing position in the gait cycle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on muscle activation of paretic and nonparetic arm in post-stroke hemiparetic subjects. Methods: Eighteen hemiparetic patients participated in this study. Each subject was asked to perform four PNF leg patterns against maximal manual resistance on nonparetic leg. EMG data were collected from biceps and triceps on the paretic and nonparetic side. The measured EMG data was digitized and processed to root mean square (RMS) and expressed as percentage maximal voluntary isometric contraction (％MVIC). The data were analyzed using paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures to determine the statistical significance. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows: Firstly, during four PNF patterns application, all of the ％MVIC values of biceps and triceps in paretic and nonparetic arms increased significantly compared with resting condition (p<0.05). Secondly, there was a significant difference in ％MVIC of paretic biceps between PNF leg pattern 1 and 4 (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, regardless of the kinematic components of PNF leg patterns, all of the muscle activation of biceps and triceps in paretic and nonparetic arm was significantly increased. The finding of this study indicates that irradiation effect caused by PNF leg patterns is beneficial for increased muscle activation of both paretic and nonparetic arms in post-stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a neck exercise using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion and extension pattern on body balance in a progressive range of positions (supine, prone on elbow, and sitting), on numbness in the upper extremities, and on neck flexion motions in cervical myelopathy patients. Methods: One participant who was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy participated in this study. A reversal design (A-B-A') was used. The A and A' were the baseline period (no intervention), and B was the intervention period. The intervention used a neck extension pattern with a hold-relax technique and a neck flexion pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the supine position. Then, neck flexion and extension patterns were applied together with a reversal technique for stabilization, followed by a neck extension pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the prone position on the elbows. Finally, a neck flexion and extension pattern was used with a stabilizing reversal technique, and a neck extension pattern was applied with a combination of isotonic techniques in the sitting position for 60 minutes per day, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. To measure balance, numbness, and neck motion during neck flexion, the one-leg stand test and the visual analogue scale were used. Results: The right and left one-leg stand tests showed increased balance ability in the intervention phase. Upper extremity numbness was decreased in the intervention phase, and neck flexion motion was increased in the intervention phase. These increases were maintained after the intervention (Baseline II). Conclusion: These results suggest that a neck exercise using a PNF neck pattern with additional techniques in a progressive range of positions has a positive effect on cervical myelopathy patients for balance, numbness, and neck motion.