• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 1994

Thirty healthy adults aged 20 to 29 with no history of musculoskeletal or neurogenic disorder volunteered for this study. The contract-relax with agonist contration(CRAC) was applied to the right hamstring muscles with the subject in the supine position. Each hamstring group was stretched on three sucessive days with several repetitions of the technique lasting 1min, 3min, and 5min. respectively. Hamstring extensibility at the knee(ROM) was measured before and after stretching using on electronic digital inclinometer(EDI). The results, namely the increase in ROM, were analysed using one-way repeated ANOVA at p<0.05. The differences were not significant. Possible factors influencing the results are excessive sensitibility of the measuring instrument, the psychological and physical status of the subjects, and the level of muscle fatigue. The mean increases in ROM were 3.0 at 1min., 2.6 at 3min, and 2.1 at 5min. Inclusion of a control group would have further defined the effects of the stretching technique.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1989

Responsiveness of muscarinic and alpha adrenoceptor activation on endothelial cells was studied in isolated canine renal artery rings. Ach (10-100 nM), dose dependently, relaxes endothelial intact rings precontracted with phenylephrine ($IC_{50}$ of Ach was 34.5 nM). Selective mechanical destruction of the endothelium transformed the activity of this substance from vasodilatation to vasoconstriction. Acetylcholine induced relaxations could be selectively inhibited competitively by atropine, but could not be inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Methylene blue, however, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase activity, inhibited Ach as well as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced relaxation. Relaxation produced by prostacyclin was not modified by methylene blue. On the other hand, alpha adrenoceptor agonist did not relax but contract canine renal artery rings possessing an intact intima precontracted with U-46619. Clonidine, however, selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is more susceptible than phenylepherine, selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, to the inhibitory effect of contraction. These results suggest that in canine renal artery rings, 1) muscarinic receptor is responsible for releasing endothelium dependent relaxation factor (EDRF). 2) alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors are present in canine renal artery. 3) relaxation via EDRF is antagonized by methylene blue, providing further evidence that EDRF acts through a cGMP mechanism.