• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2003

Objectives: Few studies have reported on the flexibility of the hamstrings resulting from variable stretching method, and little studies of length adaptation at 1 day after intervention. Methods: Fifty-four healthy a woman in her twenties with no history of musculoskeletal or neurogenic disorder volunteered for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a contract-relax group or a passive stretching group. Methods: Hamstring flexibility was measured with a sit and reach test(SRT) (RF-D18; SPC) before, immediatly after interventions, and 1 day after interventions. Results: Flexibility scores for participants in each of the groups significantly increased from pre-interventions to immediate and 1 day after interventions. However, the length of 1 day after interventions was shorter than immediate length after interventions. Difference in length between immediate and 1 day after interventions was some shorter in the contract-relax group versus the static group but, not significantly. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a contract-relax is an effective length adaptation of hamstring muscles by 1 day after intervention.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in ankle muscle strength, range of motion (ROM) dorsiflexion, and gastrocnemius flexibility following gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Fifteen subjects (all males) with limited ankle dorsiflexion participated in this study for six weeks. Ankle muscle strength, ankle passive dorsiflexion ROM, and gastrocnemius flexibility were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion strength and passive ankle dorsiflexion ROM were significantly increased post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (p < 0.05). Gastrocnemius flexibility was significantly improved post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping can be recommended for subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion to increase passive ankle dorsiflexion, flexibility, and ankle muscle strength.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.341-349
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soleus muscle stretching on the muscle thickness and muscle tone of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles in healthy young adults. Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional study design in healthy young adults. Thirty healthy young adults participated in the study. To investigate the effect of agonist elongation on the muscles' antagonist and synergist characteristics, this study conducted the dynamic stretching of the soleus and plantarflexor muscles for 20 seconds. This study measured the muscle thickness and muscle tone of the soleus, tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles before stretching, immediately after stretching, and five minutes after stretching. Results: After analysis, the muscle tone of the soleus muscle was significantly decreased immediately after stretching (20.91±2.61Hz) compared to before stretching (21.83±2.78Hz). The muscle tone of the tibialis anterior was significantly decreased both immediately after stretching (21.76±2.73Hz) and five minutes after stretching (21.72±3.25Hz) compared to before stretching (22.61±3.29Hz). The muscle thickness of the soleus muscle was significantly decreased immediately after stretching (2.04±0.52mm) compared to before stretching (2.21±0.51mm) and was significantly increased five minutes after stretching (2.14±0.49mm) compared to immediately after stretching. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the static stretching of the soleus muscle changed the muscle tone of the tibialis anterior, but not of the peroneus longus muscle. This study suggests that the dynamic stretching of the agonist muscle would show meaningful muscle tone change in the antagonist.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.9 no.7
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2018

This study investigated the effect of wrist taping (WT) after application of stabilizing reversal technique (SRT) of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on pain and grip strength (GS) in patients with wrist pain (WP). Twenty patients with WP were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=10) that received WT after application of SRT, and a control group (n=10) that received WT after application of stretching. The total intervention time consisted of a maximum of 10 minutes including breaks, and was performed 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Pain reduction was measured using a visual analogue scale. GS was measured using a dynamometer. Within group changes in pain and GS were significant in both experimental and control groups (p<0.01). Between group changes in pain and GS were greater in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.01). This findings indicate that SRT of PNF and WT convergence can be an effective intervention for patients with WP. Continued development of convergence interventions for patients with WP various conditions in practice, is suggested.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.367-376
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare changes in pediatric Cobb's angle resulting from using the modified scoliosis exercise method to promote proprioception. Methods: There were 32 participants in this study. Cobb's angle was measured automatically using a ZeTTA PACS Viewer through a digital computer program with whole-body x-ray anterior to posterior. Scoliosis was diagnosed by a Cobb's angle of 10° or higher. Modified scoliosis exercises were used as the program for the three-stage method used in the study: the preparation phase (warm-up), actual exercise phase (main exercise), and final clean-up phase (cool-down). In this study, exercises that can promote proprioception, including muscle strengthening, stretching, equilibrium, myofascial release, balance taping, and traction, were applied, and their effects before and after treatment were compared. After implementing the exercise methods once a week-15 times total for about 4 months-the changes in Cobb's angle were measured. Results: After having the pediatric scoliosis patients practice the modified scoliosis exercises for four months, it was found that the Cobb's angle of the spine significantly decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the modified pediatric scoliosis exercise, which is capable of promoting proprioception, is also effective in improving Cobb's angle.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.43-55
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of contract relaxation and a combination of isotonics in proprioceptive neuromucular facilitation (PNF) on hip and lumbopelvic motions of male patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: As the subjects of this study, a total of 45 male patients with chronic low back pain were divided into groups: 15 who underwent contract relaxation (CR) of the PNF of their hip joints, 15 who underwent a combination of isotonics (CI) of the PNF, and 15 who underwent both techniques. A device for analyzing three-dimensional motion was used to measure hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles, and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation during hip medial rotation. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the average values. Results: There were interactions in the hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation based on the methods and periods of exercise (p < 0.05). The CR and the CR+CI groups displayed more increased hip medial angles when compared to the CI group. The CR+CI group had more decreased lumbopelvic rotation angles when compared to the CR and the CI groups. The CR+CI group had more increased hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation when compared to the CR and the CI groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of stretching and stability exercises was effective in male patients with chronic low back pain who showed limited hip medial rotation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2019

Background: Both the rapid concentric and eccentric contractions during exercise repeatedly impose excessive stress on muscle tissue. The hamstring muscles are very susceptible to injury due to the tensile stress. Various interventions are currently being undertaken to prevent strain injury before exercise. Stretching is the most common method and is known to have a positive effect on flexibility and muscle performance. However, relatively few studies have investigated the potential negative factors of stretching. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in pain following the different intensity of the stretching and types of physical stress. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups based on the intensity of stretching: 100% (S100), 75% (S75), and 50% (S50) of the measured force at the point of discomfort in static stretching and 100% (P100), 75% (P75), and 50% (P50) of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching. The pain individual subjects perceived after stretching was measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and compared between the groups Results: Despite the decrease in the intensity of static stretching, no decrease in VAS value was observed. In PNF stretching, a significant decrease was observed at P50 compared to P100. S100 was significantly higher than P75 and P50. Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that PNF has a superior or the same effect on flexibility in comparison with static stretching. This effect was maintained even in moderate intensity. PNF stretching performed under moderate rather than high intensive static stretching, which causes pain and discomfort, might be recommended in clinical settings.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to summarize the effect of stretch stimulus on muscle contraction facilitation. Methods : Some studies of the stretch reflex. ${\gamma}-motor$ system, and the effect of stretch stimulus on muscle activation were reviewed. Results : To facilitate muscle contraction, before the movement is started, the prime mover is in stretched position. The patient must be instructed to occur voluntary muscle contraction after quick stretching. It elicits the functional stretch reflex to produce a more powerful and functional contraction. The intensity of muscle contraction depends on two ways. One is firing rate of ${\alpha}-motor$ neuron by sensory information from the periphery induced in stretched position and stretch reflex. The other is excitation level of the cortical motor area and the corresponding motor neurons. Conclusions: To activate central nervous system and to increase firing rate of ${\alpha}-motor$ neuron. the therapist should apply quick stretch for the patient with stretched position and the patient should make voluntary muscle contraction.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.195-203
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Neurodynamic tests are used to examine neural tissue in patients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, although this has not yet been established in the intensity of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of neural stretching intensity on nerve excitability using the latency and amplitude of nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) analysis. Methods: Thirty young, healthy male and female subjects (mean age = 21.30 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median sensory NCV test. The latency and amplitude of the NCV test were measured under four different conditions: reference phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), baseline phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), weak stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with weak neural stretching), and strong stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with strong neural stretching). Results: The NCV latency was significantly delayed after one minute of neural stretching at the baseline, weak phase, and strong phase in comparison with the reference phase. The NCV latency was significantly delayed by increasing the strength of neural stretching. Furthermore, the NCV amplitude was significantly increased at the weak and strong phases, which were under neural stretching, in comparison with the baseline phase. The NCV amplitude was significantly increased by increasing the strength of the neural stretching. Conclusion: Transient neural stretching as a neurodynamic test can increase the sensitivity of the nerve without negatively affecting the nervous system. However, based on the results of this study, strong neural stretching in the neurodynamic test may delay the transmission of nerve impulses and hypersensitivity.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of talus stability taping during gastrocnemius stretching on ankle passive dorsiflexion, talus posterior glide, and balance in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Fifteen subjects (eight males and seven females) with limited ankle dorsiflexion participated in this study. Ankle passive dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), talus posterior glide, and the lower quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) were measured pre-stretching, after applying gastrocnemius stretching (GS), and after applying gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping (GSTST). The two types of stretching were performed at random. Results: Ankle passive dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased by both types of stretching (p < 0.05), and ROM was significantly more increased post-GSTST than post-GS (p < 0.05). In addition, talus posterior glide was significantly increased post-GSTST than pre-stretching and post-GS (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between post-GS and pre-stretching (p > 0.05). YBT-LQ score was significantly increased post-GSTST than pre-stretching (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping is an effective method for subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion to improve ankle passive dorsiflexion, talus posterior gliding, and balance.