Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Techniques

  • Chapter
PNF in Practice

  • 2975 Accesses

Abstract

A PNF technique is a sequenced method of facilitation, which aims at an improvement of body functions or activities within the context of a treatment goal. The goal of the PNF techniques is to promote functional movement through facilitation, inhibition, strengthening, and relaxation of muscle groups. The techniques use concentric, eccentric, and static muscle contractions. These muscle contractions with properly graded resistance and suitable facilitatory procedures are combined and adjusted to fit the needs of each patient.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Further Reading

  • Beradelli AH, Hallet JC, Rothwell R, Marsden CD (1996) Single joint rapid arm movements in normal subjects and in patients with motor disorders. Brain 119: 661–664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kandell ER, Schwarte JH, Gesell TM (2000) Principles of neural science. McGraw-Hill, New York, St. Louis, San Fransisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Markos PD (1979) Ipsilateral and contralateral effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques on hip motion and electro-myographic activity. Phys Ther 59 (11): 1366–1373

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore M, Kukulkan C (1988) Depression of H reflexes following voluntary contraction. Phys Ther 68:862

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose-Jacobs R, Gilberti N (1984) Effect of PNF and Rood relaxation techniques on muscle length. Phys Ther 64:725

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothwell J (1994) Control of human voluntary movement. Chapman and Hall, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sady SP, Wortman M, Blanke D (1982) Flexibility training: ballistic, static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 63:261–263

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sato A, Schmidt RF (1973) Somatosympathetic reflexes: afferent fibers, central pathways, discharge characteristics. Physiol Rev 53 (4): 916–947

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sherrington C (1961) The integrative action of the nervous system. Yale University Press, New Haven

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanigawa MC (1972) Comparison of the hold–relax procedure and passive mobilization on increasing muscle length. Phys Ther 52:725–735

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

References

  • Arai M (2001) Effects of the use of cross-education to the affected side through various resistive exercises of the sound side and settings of the length of the affected muscles. Hiroshima J Med Sci (3): 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonnar BP, Deivert RG, Gould TE (2004) The relationship between isometric contraction durations during holdrelax stretching and improvement of hamstring flexibility. J Sports Med Phys Fitness (3): 258–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter AM, Kinzey SJ, Chitwood LF, Cole JL (2000) PNF decreases muscle activity during the stretch reflex in selected posterior thigh muscles. J Sport Rehab (9): 269–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalmers G (2004) Re-examination of the possible role of Golgi tendon organ and muscle spindle reflexes in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation muscle stretching. Sports Biomechanics: (1) 159–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelius WL, Jensen RL, Odell ME (1995) Effects of PNF stretching phases on acute arterial blood pressure. Can J Appl Physiol (2): 222–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis DS, Ashby PE, Mc Cale KL, Mc Quain JA, Wine JM (2005) The effectiveness of 3 stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility using consistent stretching parameters. J Strength Conditioning Res (1):27–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Deccicco PV, Fisher FM (2005) The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on shoulder range of motion in overhand athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness (2): 183–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Feland JB, Marin HN (2004) Effect of sub maximal contraction intensity in contract–relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching. Br J Sports Med. Vol 38 (4)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferber R, Gravelle DC, Osternig LR (2002) Effect of PNF stretch techniques on trained and untrained older adults. J Aging Phys Activity (10): 132–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferber R, Osternig LR, Gravelle DC (2002) Effect of PNF stretch techniques on knee flexor muscle EMG activity in older adults. J Electromyography Kinesiol (12): 391–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Funk DC, Swank AM, Mikla BM, Fagan TA, Farr BK (2003) Impact of prior exercise on hamstring flexibility: a comparison of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and static stretching. J Strength Conditioning Res (3): 489–492

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat H (1950) Studies on neuromuscular dysfunction, XII: Rhythmic stabilization; a new and more effective technique for treatment of paralysis through a cerebellar mechanism. Perm Found Med Bull 8: 9–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Knott M, Voss DE (1956) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: patterns and techniques. Harper and Row, New York Knott M, Voss DE (1968) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: patterns and techniques. 2nd edn. Harper and Row, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofotolis N, Eleftherios K (2006) Effects of two 4-week PNF programs on muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional performance in women with CLBP. Phys Ther (7): 1001– 1012

    Google Scholar 

  • Marek SM (2005) Acute effects of static and PNF stretching on muscle strength and power output. J Athletic Training (2): 94–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore MA, Kulkulka CG (1991) Depression of Hoffmann reflexes following voluntary contraction and implications for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy. Phys Ther (4):321–329; discussion 329–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivo SA, Magee DJ (2006) Electromyographic assessment of the activity of the masticatory using the agonist contract – antagonist relax technique (AC) and contract – relax technique (CR). Manual Ther (2): 136–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands AV, Marginson VF, Lee J (2003) Chronic flexibility gains: effect of isometric contraction duration during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques. Res Quart Exercise Sports (1): 47–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarburg PR, Schrader JW (1997) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques in sports medicine: a reassessment. J Athletic Training (1): 34–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuback B, Hooper J, Salisburg L (2004) A comparison of a self stretch incorporating PNF components and a therapist applied PNF technique on hamstring flexibility. Physiother (3): 151–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan PE, Markos PD, Minor MAD (1982) An integrated approach to therapeutic exercise. Reston, Virginia

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss DE, Ionta M, Myer BT (1985) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, patterns and techniques. 3rd edn. Harper and Row, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Weerapong P, Hume PA, Kolt GS (2004) Stretching: mechanisms and benefits for sport performance and injury prevention. Phys Ther Rev (9): 189–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenos DL, Konin JG (2004) Controlled warm-up intensity enhances hip range of motion. J Strength Conditioning Res (3): 529–533

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. D. Beckers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Beckers, D. (2014). Techniques. In: PNF in Practice. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34988-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34988-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-34987-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-34988-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation