• PNF and Movement
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2005

Purpose : To describes the important aspects of scapular movement and function used when applying PNF technique to the upper limb and scapular. Method : The scapular was a very important roles in the upper limb movement. This study summarizes the physiologic movement of scapular to the PNF upper extremity patterns or scapular patterns. Result : The shoulder joint has the most freedom of range of motion in the human body, composed of the glenohumeral joint, the subacromial joint, the acromioclavical joint, the sternoclavicular joint, the scapulothoracic joint, the costosternal joint, and the costovertebral joint. During upper limb movement, the scapular position change at the sternoclavicular joint and the acromioclavical joint. This concerted motion was characterized by scapulohumeral rhythm. In clinical situations, it is import to understand factors affect the scapulohumeral rhythm so that optimal evaluation and therapeutic intervention can be devised. Conclusions : The scapular movement depend on the proper and coordinated contraction of muscles. Physical therapists need to understand the normal scapular movement relationships of the scapulohumeral rhythm under different interventions for PNF techniques application.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study researched the effects of the changes of elbow joint angle and of arm position in PNF pattern on muscle activation of the contralateral shoulder muscles while performing PNF pattern exercise. METHODS: The research subjects were 16 male physical therapists who had no neuromuscular or neurological disorders. To measure the muscle activation of the contralateral shoulder muscles, EMG electrodes were attached to the muscle valley of the middle and posterior areas of the deltoid and triceps muscles of the arm. Muscle activation while performing the ulnar thrust PNF pattern exercise was measured with the elbow joint positioned at angles of $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $60^{\circ}$. Resistance points were at the initial, middle, and end ranges of PNF pattern exercise. RESULTS: Muscle activation of the middle and posterior portions of the deltoid muscle increased significantly according to the changes of elbow joint angle. In each resistance point the middle range was significantly higher than at other points. A significant difference on muscle activation was demonstrated throughout each range depending on the type of muscle. Muscle activation of the middle and posterior portions of the deltoid muscle was higher than muscle activation of the triceps. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that the PNF pattern exercising method used in this study is a selective exercising method focusing on the deltoid muscle over the triceps muscle. In order to increase the muscle strength to the maximum level, it is necessary to provide the maximum level of resistance in the middle range of the elbow joint.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.441-449
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the impact of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation leg patterns emphasizing hallux abduction (PNF-LPHA) on the intrinsic foot muscles of participants with hallux valgus (HV) using the toe-spread-out exercise (TSO). Methods: The present study recruited 12 individuals with HV. All the participants voluntarily agreed to participate in the study after hearing explanations of its purpose and process. All participants performed the TSO, PNF-LPHA 1, and PNF-LPHA 2. The participants' abductor hallucis (AbH), adductor hallucis (AdH), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) activity was measured, and the ratio of AbH:AdH was measured during the three interventions using electromyography. Additionally, the participants' AbH thickness was measured by ultrasonography. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the intra-rater reliability of ultrasonography at rest and during contraction. Results: The intra-rater reliability was excellent at rest and during contraction ($ICC_{3,1}=0.90$ and $ICC_{3,1}=0.83$, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the activity of the AbH, the ratio of AbH: AdH, and the thickness of AbH between the TSO and PNF-LPHA2 groups. Additionally, EHL activity was significantly higher in the PNF-LPHA2 group than in the TSOgroup. Conclusion: PNF-LPHA 2 can be recommended as a method to optimize AbH and EHL activity, the ratio of AbH:AdH, and the thickness of AbH in individuals with HV.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of passive stretching, active stretching, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) for hamstring flexibility. Methods : Fifty-two college students volunteered for this study. Subjects were randomly devided into three groups : passive stretching, active stretching, PNF. Range of knee extension was measured with the subjects in the 90-90 straight leg raising at before and 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after intervention. Results : In ROM changes 1st week, 3 groups were significant difference(p<.05). In ROM changes 3rd week, PNF group was significant difference(p<.05). ROM changes 1st week were significantly decreased from ROM changes 2nd week and 3rd week in all 3 groups(p<.05). Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that PNF is more effective method on hamstring flexibility than passive stretching or active stretching.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was conducted to find change and development of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Methods: This is a literature study with books, seminar and book for the international courses. Results: Combination of isotonic has been started by Mr and Mrs Johnson after Miss Knott passed away. It is that the terms of maximum resistance changed into optimal or appropriate resistance. It is focus on activities. Maximum resistance focus not only activities but also irradiation have to fit with normal functions. PNF has enough for the motor control concepts and international classification of functioning(ICF)of WHO. Conclusions: PNF has changed and developed with giving resistance method. It is that changed from maximal resistance to optimal resistance. But it is smaller concept than maximum resistance. Even though PNF founded 60 years ago, it is enough for new concepts that is motor control and learning.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Among the adult patients with hemiplegia that were hospitalized at Michuhol Rehabilitation Center after being diagnosed with stroke, 10 that were capable of independent walking for more than five minutes and that understood and cooperated with the therapy and test methods of this research, were selected as subjects. The therapy was implemented based on the concept of PNF, and it was performed on a low mat and a height-adjustable mat, as proscribed by the fundamental procedure for PNF. Symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied to the patients in the decubitus position. The therapy scheme included stabilizing reversals, rhythmic stabilization, and a combination of isotonics, rhythmic initiation, and dynamic reversals. To investigate gait speed and body trunk mobility before and after the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied, walking speed for a distance of 10 m was measured and balance was tested based on the Berg-Balance scale test table. The Berg-Balance scale test was performed by one therapist to minimize any error that could occur from the subjective evaluation method used by therapists. Results: Gait speed increased by 8.97 seconds after applying the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using the concept of PNF, showing a significant difference (p<0.01). However, balance showed no significant difference after the therapy (p>0.14). Conclusion: Exercise therapy that uses the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis with the concept of PNF can be said to be a useful therapeutic technique that can enhance the walking speed of patients with hemiplegia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) applied to the unilateral upper extremity on the muscle activation of contralateral lower extremity. Twenty-two healthy subjects (mean age of 23.7 years) participated in this study. Method : PNF patterns applied on the unilateral upper extremity in all subjects were the flexion/abduction/external rotation and lifting pattern. The hold and appoximation techniques for the irradiation were applied to end range of both patterns. Muscle activations in four patterns were measured in vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius medial muscles of contralateral lower extremity using surface EMG system. Each EMG value in individual muscle was normalized for maximal voluntary contraction. The data were analyzed by one factor analysis of variance with repeated measure test. Result : There were significant differences in the between-subject effect (muscles) and within-subject effect (patterns) in comparison of muscle activation by application of PNF patterns (p<.05). The irradiation led to higher activation in the flexion/abduction/external rotation pattern than that of lifting pattern in all muscles (p<.05). The approximation techniques revealed more activations than these of hold technique in all muscles (p<.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that the application of PNF patterns to the unilateral upper extremity affect on the muscle activation of contralateral lower extremity and increase according to the intensity of resistance. This mechanism of contralateral effect might provide a help to the development of treatment method for the affected side and functional improvement for the patients who have damages of central nervous system or musculoskeletal problems by orthopedic injury.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was conducted to find treatment approach, functional test process with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Method : This is a literature study with books, seminar note and book for PNF international course. Result : Suggest of the functional test with functional level and structural level treatment approaching with hypotheses and problem list from the functional test and provide how, what, where for the treatment with the level. Conclusion : Treatment plan and approach has changed from disease to structure function, performance, participation the life, relationship with environment factors of human being. For the treatment approach need the functional test and functional goal.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.318-328
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• 2012

The purpose of present study was to determine effects of a PNF combination pattern training on muscle activity of lower extremities and gait ability in hemiparetic subjects. Twenty chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly divided into either control group and experimental group. Experimental group received PNF combination pattern training, four times per a week for six weeks and control group received general exercise training. For the lower limbs muscle activity, RMS of action potential were analyzed and gait ability tests was conducted with 10MWT, DGI and F8WT. For the significance test of control and experimental group for measuring time by exercise application method, two-way repeated measure ANOVA. As the result, muscle activity of RF(p<.05), VM, TA, LH, LG was significantly increased between measurement period(p<.001), In VM, TA, LH, LG, there were interactions each measurement time and between group. 10MWT, DGI, F8WT in gait ability was significantly improved between measurement periods(p<.001) and In 10MWT, DGI, F8W, there were interaction each measurement time and between group. In conclusion, the PNF combination pattern application will be effective strategy to increasing the muscle activity and improving gait ability in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

Purpose : To describes the important aspects of knee joint movement and function used when applying PNF technique to the lower limb. Method : The knee was a very important roles in the lower limb movement and ambulation. This study summarizes the physiologic movement of knee to the PNF lower extremity patterns. Result : The tibiofemoral joint is usually described as a modified hinge joint with flexion-extension and axial rotation by two degrees of freedom movement. These arthrokinematics are a result of the geometry of the joints and the tension produced in the ligamentous structures. The patellofemoral joint is a sellar joint between the patella and the femur. Stability of the patellofemoral joint is dependent on the passive and dynamic restraints around the knee. In a normal knee the ligaments are inelastic and maintain a constant length as the knee flexes and extends, helping to control rolling, gliding and translation of the joint motions. Conclusions : It is important to remember that small alterations in joint alignment can result in significant alterations in patellofemoral joint stresses and that changes in the mechanics of the patellofemoral joint can also result in changes in the tibiofemoral compartments. Successful treatment requires the physical therapist to understand and apply these arthrokinematic concepts. When applied to PNF low extremity patterns, understanding of these mechanical concepts can maximize patient function while minimizing the risk for further symptoms or injury.