• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

Purpose : This paper reviews on the method of PNF stretching. Methods : This is literature study with Pubmed, medline, SPORT Discus, EBSCO, ProQuest and books. Results : PNF stretching is effective for increasing range of motion than static and ballistic stretching. CR(contract-relax) technique is effective and CRAC(contract-relax with agonist contraction) technique including agonist contraction is more effective. A minimum of one repetition, twice or three times per week is required for range of motion gains, needs to be conducted continueously. A minimum of 20% contraction intensity and more than 3 seconds contraction duration are needed to increase range of motion. Inclusion of static stretching of antagonist and agonist contraction is more effective. Conclusions : PNF stretching is more effective for increasing range of motion than other stretching methods, but, clinicians need to select proper techniques according to subjects and muscles, and conduct carefully when applying technique.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness of the diaphragm stretching technique as a treatment method for low back pain by evaluating maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and changes in back mobility in patients with low back pain. Methods: Thirty-four patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The diaphragm stretching technique was conducted in the experimental group, and the placebo intervention was conducted in the control group. The diaphragm stretching technique was conducted once, maintaining tension for 7 min. The placebo intervention was conducted in the same position as the diaphragm stretching technique, but with only light contact maintained without pressure. Maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility were measured before and after the intervention, and the changes were compared and analyzed. A paired sample t-test was used to compare measurements within the group before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the experimental and control groups. Statistical significance (α) was set at 0.05. Results: In the experimental group, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility increased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes in all areas of the control (p > 0.05). As a result of comparative analysis of changes before and after the intervention, there were significant differences in maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility only in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The diaphragm stretching technique improved maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility compared to the placebo intervention. Therefore, the diaphragm stretching technique can be recommended as a physical therapy intervention to improve pain in patients with LBP.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, based on ballistic stretching and the contract-relax technique, on hip joint flexibility and muscle tone in adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles. Methods: The study involved 40 adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles, identified using the modified Thomas test. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: PNF stretching, employing the contract-relax technique, and ballistic stretching. Measurements included muscle tension, hip joint range of motion, and muscle characteristics. The rectus femoris muscle shortening effect was confirmed by the modified Thomas test, while the flexibility effect was assessed through hip joint motion range. The muscle tension effect was determined using Myoton-PRO. Results: Both stretching methods resulted in significant improvements in modified Thomas test angles and frequency, with the PNF stretching group showing notably greater changes. However, neither stretching method significantly affected decrement or stiffness measurements. These findings suggest that PNF stretching may be more effective for certain outcomes compared to ballistic stretching. Conclusion: In summary, both stretching methods positively influenced flexibility and muscle tension, with PNF stretching showing a greater impact. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate stretching technique for achieving functional improvements in muscles, which could serve as valuable indicators for preventing and treating muscle injuries in both sports and daily activities.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of nerve mobilization, static stretching, and hold-relax on the flexibility of hamstring muscles and their surface electromyographic (EMG) responses to passive stretches in poststroke hemiparesis. This study was a randomized cross-over trial. Fourteen subjects received three treatment sessions in random order with each consisting of ten repetitions. The treatment sessions included nerve mobilization, static stretching, and hold-relax. The treatment sessions were held at least 24 hours apart to minimize any carryover effect. The outcome was measured by the distance between the greater trochanter and lateral malleolus and hamstring EMG activity during passive knee extension stretching. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant changes in hamstring flexibility and EMG activity in main effect of time pre, post and followup (p<.05). However, no significant differences occurred among the three stretching techniques. No technique was consistently found to be superior. The three stretching techniques in this study make it difficult to determine the most effective technique. Therefore, clinicians use nerve mobilization of effective stretching techniques with other stretching techniques.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.56-65
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of one proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique and static stretching on calf muscle tightness. The subjects consist of 9 hemiplegics, and 9 quadriplegics. The eighteen subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups: prorioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(6 persons), static stretching(6 persons) and control(6 persons). Contract relax antagonist contract and static stretching techniques were applied continuously for twenty minutes each. Of the many proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques, only the contract relax antagonist contract technique was applied. The static stretching technique was applied with the subject placed in standing on a seventy degree inclined tilt table for twenty minutes. A wedge was placed under the feet to obtain maximum dorsiflexion. Wedge thickness varied with each subject. Results revealed: (1) a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups(p<0.05). (2) a significant difference between contract relax antagonist contract and static stretching groups(p<0.05). (3) At day five, the final increments were: contract relax antagonist contract $11.9{\pm}1.90^{\circ}$, static stretching $7.7{\pm}2.3^{\circ}$(mean${\pm}$standard deviation).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.433-441
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques for improving hamstring flexibility and to compare the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques(direct and indirect and mix(direct&indirect) of hold-relax technique). METHODS: The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: group1-direct-hold-relax technique(n=10); group2-indirect-hold-relax technique(n=8); group3-mix(direct&indirect)-hold-relax technique(n=10). For each group, stretch was performed three times a week for a period of three weeks. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured using the ASLR and PSLR. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvement in hamstring flexibility for all subjects of three groups. However, were not significantly different between the three groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, three PNF stretching techniques are confirmed to be useful for improving hamstring flexibility. The choice for a qualified technique has to be made individually according to patient and therapist.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.201-211
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Muscle Energy Technique(MET) on the Hamstring flexibility of healthy adults by comparing stretching exercise. Methods : The subjects were consisted of healthy adults(54 male, 42 female). All subject randomly assigned to the Control group, Stretching group, MET group. stretching group received hamstring stretching for 75 seconds and MET group received Hamstring MET for 75 seconds. Then subject did the sit and reach test at before treatment, right after treatment and after 10 minutes treatment. Results : 1. Result of sit and reach test according to measurement time changed, three groups were all improved and significant difference(p<0.01) was observed among three groups. 2. Compared to before treatment and right after treatment result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. 3. Compared to before treatment and after 10 minutes result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. Conclusions : According to above results, improvement of hamstring flexibility, MET was more effect than stretching exercise.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in kinematic factors according to stretching treatment, myofascial release treatment, and static stretching treatment conditions during squat. Method: Twelve males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed squats without treatment (Pre-Test), and performed squats after treatment with the myofascial release technique (MRT) and static stretching (SS) on different days (post-test). Squat movements were captured using eight motion capture cameras (sampling rate: 250 Hz), and the peak joint angles of the ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were calculated for each direction. One-way repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses using SPSS 27 (IBM Corp. Armonk NY, USA) were used to compare the peak joint angle of the lower extremity joints and pelvis among the normal condition (squat without treatment), MRT condition (squat after MRT treatment) and SS condition (squat after static stretching). The statistical significance level was set at .05. Results: It was observed that the maximum ankle joint flexion angle during squats was statistically reduced under conditions of myofascial release and static stretching (p<.05), in comparison to the scenario where no stretching was performed. Furthermore, static stretching was found to enhance the maximum hip flexion angle during squat (p<.05), whereas the myofascial release stretching technique resulted in the minimal posterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.05). Conclusion: Employing myofascial release stretching as a preparatory exercise proved to be more efficacious in maintaining body stability throughout the execution of high-intensity squat movements by effectively managing the posterior tilt of the pelvis, as opposed to foregoing stretching or engaging in static stretching.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of IASTM and static stretching techniques on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), static foot pressure. Methods: Twenty four subjects with gastrocnemius shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM) group received intervention using a IASTM instrument for two minutes, and the stactic stretching group performed self stretching for 30 seconds, four times. The ROM of the ankle joint was measured by active ankle dorsi-flexion test, and a TPScan was utilized to collect the plantar foot pressure. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the ankle joint and was significantly increased in both groups. 2) Plantar foot pressure was no significant in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the IASTM group and static stretching group for any variable. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that static stretching is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length in subjects with gastrocnemius shortness. We recommend that static stretching technique be used for treat gastrocnemius shortness in clinical setting and home program.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.210-217
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax and PNF irradiation on the hamstring muscle. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Fifty-one subjects with shortened hamstrings were randomly assigned to the static stretching group (n=17), PNF hold-relax group (n=17), and the PNF irradiation group (n=17). All subjects performed an active knee extension (AKE) test to assess for the lower extremity with a shortened hamstring. The static stretching group performed stretches by lifting their leg to the maximum extent (3 times, 30 seconds). The PNF hold-relax group performed maximal isometric contraction against the experimenter's resistance (3 times, 10 seconds). The PNF irradiation group performed maximum isometric contraction against the experimenter's resistance toward the direction of the body (5 times, 5 seconds). The pre and post-tests measured range of motion (ROM), pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and muscle tone. Results: There were significant differences in ROM and PPT between pre and post intervention in each group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference only in the ROM among groups (p<0.05). Post-hoc analysis showed that the changes in ROM occurred in the order of the PNF hold-relax group, static stretching group and PNF irradiation group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the PNF irradiation technique may improve ROM and may be used to improve ROM similar to other stretching techniques. Therefore, the PNF irradiation technique could be included in stretching programs and can be used as a suitable stretching method depending on the situation.