Acute stretch perception alteration contributes to the success of the PNF contr

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J Sport Rehabil. 2007 May;16(2):85-92.

Acute stretch perception alteration contributes to the success of

the PNF " contract-relax " stretch.

UH, Myrer JW, Hopkins JT, Hunter I, Feland JB, Hilton SC.

Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo,

UT, USA.

CONTEXT: Some researchers have suggested that an alteration of

stretch perception could be responsible for the success of the

contract-relax (CR) stretch, a stretch technique derived from

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF).

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine if the alteration

of the stretch perception is a possible explanation for the range of

motion (ROM) gains of the CR stretch.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen subjects performed two stretches in

randomized order: the slow stretch and the CR stretch.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The stretch intensity was controlled. The

stretch force was measured and compared between the slow stretch and

CR stretch.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the stretch

force that could be applied in the PNF stretch (126.0 N) and the

slow stretch (108.4 N); P = 0.00086. The average stretch tolerance

progressively increased with successive trials from 120.6 N in the

first trial to 132.4 N in the fourth trial.

CONCLUSION: The alteration of stretch perception plays a role in the

success of the CR form of PNF stretching. At least four repetitions

of the CR stretch are recommended to get the greatest ROM gain.