• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2008

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on the muscle activation of neck flexors. Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject performed bilateral asymmetrical PNF leg patterns against manual resistance under four conditions: through the full range of motion toward the right side, left side, and the end range in the right side, left side. Electromyographic (EMG) data was collected from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles as neck flexors. The root mean square (RMS) value of the SCM was measured and normalized from maximal EMG activity of the SCM. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test and repeated analysis of variance (ANOV A) was used to compare the statistical significance. The results of this study are summarized as follows: Firstly, the RMS values of SCM were significantly higher in all four PNF leg patterns than in the resting condition (p<.05). Secondly, there was no significant difference in muscle activation according to the direction of PNF leg patterns (p>.05). Thirdly, there was no significant difference in muscle activation according to the point of range of the motion of leg patterns (p>.05). It is suggested that PNF bilateral asymmetrical leg patterns have a considerable effect on muscle activation of the SCM, regardless of the range of motion and direction of PNF bilateral asymmetrical leg patterns.

• 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.15 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistant gait training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the walking and balancing abilities of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 6) that underwent treadmill gait training or an experimental group (n = 6) that underwent resistant gait training using PNF. The interventions were performed five times per week for four weeks. Gait variables were measured using a GAITRite system (CIR System Inc, Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability; the Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance; and the activity-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) was measured to examine changes in confidence about balance. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine intragroup differences before and after the interventions, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparisons of the effects of the interventions. All statistical significance levels were set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, double support time, balance, and confidence about balance after the interventions (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons after the interventions, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, balance, and confidence about balance (p < 0.05). No significant difference in double support time was seen in the intergroup comparison after training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied resistant gait training using PNF to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' walking and balancing abilities. Therefore, resistant gait training using PNF is thought to be applicable as an intervention method for chronic stroke patients.

• 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.3 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to identify influence that PNF method have an effect in function restoration of the impaired patients of central nervous system. Methods : The data were collected by 15 adult stroke patients. The treatment was based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Results : In the comparison of functional ambulation profile(FAP) before and after experiment, the FAP was significantly increased in the PNF method. The gait velocity, cadence and single support time asymmetry ratio was significantly increased in the PNF method. The Motor Assessment Scale was significantly increased in the PNF method. Conclusions : Based on these results, it is concluded that the forced PNF method for 6 weeks can be improve the temporal-spatial gait parameters including FAP in hemiplegic patients. Therefore, the forced PNF method is useful to improve the function restoration in hemiplegic patients. Further study should be done to analyze the effects of intervention duration of treatment, optimal time to apply the treatment in more long peried.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to study the effect of rectus abdominal muscle contraction by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation trunk stabilization training using extremity simultaneous pattern (PNF trunk stabilization training) and traditional trunk stabilization training methods. Methods : A group of 24 adults male and female, healthy, with no previous medical history nor disability in neuromuscular system and musculoskeletal system was chosen as subjects, and was divided into a control group, a PNF trunk stabilization training group and a traditional trunk stabilization training group. Experiments were performed on the last two groups, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, totaling 18 times. Using a dynamometer, muscle strength and endurance time on trunk flexion were measured before and after each experiment, and surface electromyography in left and right rectus abdominis were measured. Results : following results were obtained; 1. As for the change in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), all subjects in the trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference from those in the control group. 2. As for surface electromyography measurement and the changes in root mean square at the time of trunk flexion, in the left rectus abdominis, PNF trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference from the control group, while in the right rectus abdominis, traditional trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference. Conclusion : To sum up the results, both trunk stabilization training groups showed improvement in the MVIC of abdominal muscle, motor unit action potential activity, but the difference between two trunk stabilization training groups was not significant. Therefore, while trunk stabilization training significantly improved abdominal muscle contraction, but the difference attributable to training methods was found to be insignificant.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.487-494
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• 1995

Two techniques were compared to test their effectiveness of frozen shoulder. The study was 20 cases of frozen shoulder who were treated at the department of physical therapy at Kum ma clinic during 6 months from 1 July, 1994 to 30 December, 1994. The treatment methods were application Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and General Exercise(Pendulum exercise, Scratch exercise, Overhead pully, Shoulder wheel). The results obtained from these cases were as follows; 1. The subjects were 8(40 %) males and 12(60 %) females. The largest group was $50{\sim}59$ years of age 8 persons(40 %). 2. The majority of patients came for physical treatment within $7{\sim}10$ months after onset of shoulder pain(10 presons or 50 %) and 11 months after(4 persons or 20 %). 3. PNF cases recovered in average of 23 days and G - E cases 32 days. Also, the PNF method showed the best results in treatment of frozen shoulder better than the G-E.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this article was to review the literature on contractile properties of skeletal muscle with reference to its molecular and functional diversity. Method : This review outlines scientific findings regarding different contractile properties in skeletal muscle fibers, and discusses their involvement in functional diversity. Result & Conclusions: Muscle fibers possess distinct mechanical and energetic properties. Myosis, one of the primary contractile muscle proteins, displays structural, functional variability and plays the role of the molecular motor of muscle contraction. Muscle satellite cells are normally mitotically quiescent, but initiate proliferation and give rise to daughter myogenic precursor cells as required for the postnatal growth and regeneration of adult muscle. Passive extensibility is an important component of total muscle function because it allows for the maximal length of skeletal muscles. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) stretching can help to restore or improve flexibility and coordination, thereby improving overall muscle function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.73-75
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• 2004

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out which method was efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and hamstring stretching. Method : subject were 20 young people between the ages 20 and 25. subjects were randomly assigned to one of 2groups; PNF(n=10), static(n=10). respective group received the same stretching does of 3days per week for 4weeks. Trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measurement the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, 4weeks after starting). Results : The results of the study were as follows: The lower back flexibility was increased significantly in PNF groups. PNF, static groups showed meaningful defference in trunk flexion forward. The finding indicate that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility and that flexibility training results in on increased consistency of flexibility scores.