Effects of a Single Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Exercise With and Without Post-stretching Activation on the Muscle Function and Mechanical Properties of the Plantar Flexor Muscles

• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732654
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14T05:31:30Z
• Authors: Marina Reiner; Markus Tilp; Gaël Guilhem; Antonio Morales-A...; Masatoshi Nakamura; Andreas Konrad
• Keywords: Proprioception; Passive stretching; Static stretching

A single proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching exercise can increase the range of motion (ROM) a joint but lead to decrease in performance immediately after exercise. Post-stretching activation (PSA) exercises are known as possible way counteract such drop following However, date, no study has investigated combination PNF with PSA. Thus, aim this was compare effects and without PSA on muscle function (e.g., ROM) mechanical properties plantar flexor muscles. Eighteen physically active males volunteered study, which had crossover design random order. The passive shear modulus gastrocnemius medialis (GM) lateralis (GL) measured neutral position wave elastography, both pre- post-intervention. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) peak torque, maximum dynamic dorsiflexion ROM, resistive torque (PRT) were also dynamometer. interventions 4×30s (5s contraction) two sets three 20 or 40 fast ground contacts (PNF stretching+PSA) only. ROM found have increased groups (+4%). In addition, stretching+PSA group showed PRT at given angle (−7%) GM mean (GM+GL; −6%). Moreover, MVIC decreased (−4%) only (without PSA). Therefore, we conclude that, if is used warm-up exercise, target-muscle-specific should follow keep output same level while maintaining benefit greater ROM.