Document Detail


Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on stiffness and force-producing characteristics of the ankle in active women.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17530973     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness of the ankle joint. Twenty active women were assessed for maximal ankle range of motion, maximal strength of planter flexors, rate of force development, and ankle MTU stiffness. Subjects were randomly allocated into an experimental (n = 10) group or control group (n = 10). The experimental group performed PNF stretching on the ankle joint 3 times per week for 4 weeks, with physiological testing performed before and after the training period. After training, the experimental group significantly increased ankle range of motion (7.8%), maximal isometric strength (26%), rate of force development (25%), and MTU stiffness (8.4%) (p < 0.001). Four weeks of PNF stretching contributed to an increase in MTU stiffness, which occurred concurrently with gains to ankle joint range of motion. The results confirm that MTU stiffness and joint range of motion measurements appear to be separate entities. The increased MTU stiffness after the training period is explained by adaptations to maximal isometric muscle contractions, which were a component of PNF stretching. Because a stiffer MTU system is linked with an improved the ability to store and release elastic energy, PNF stretching would benefit certain athletic performance due to a reduced contraction time or greater mechanical efficiency. The results of this study suggest PNF stretching is a useful modality at increasing a joint's range of motion and its strength.
Authors:
Sven S Rees; Aron J Murphy; Mark L Watsford; Ken A McLachlan; Aaron J Coutts
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association     Volume:  21     ISSN:  1064-8011     ISO Abbreviation:  J Strength Cond Res     Publication Date:  2007 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-05-28     Completed Date:  2007-07-31     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9415084     Medline TA:  J Strength Cond Res     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  572-7     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Leisure, Sport and Tourisn, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Sven.Rees@uts.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Ankle Joint / physiology*
Biomechanics / instrumentation
Elasticity
Female
Humans
Isometric Contraction / physiology
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
Physical Education and Training / methods*
Proprioception / physiology*
Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
Stress, Mechanical
Tendons / physiology*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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