Effect of 8-Weeks PNF Stretching on Muscle Strength and Neuromuscular Activity of the Hamstring Muscles

Authors

    Ben Khaled Abboud Latouf Ministry of Education of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq | Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
    Jamel Halouani * Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia | Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, LR19JS01, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia jamelhal@yahoo.fr
    Majd Eddine Mohamed Salah Khalil Ministry of Education of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
    Hamdi Chtourou Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia | Physical Activity, Sport, and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis, Tunisia
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.6.1.7

Keywords:

Muscle Stretching Exercises, Muscle Strength, Hamstring Muscles, Team Sports, Psychomotor Performance

Abstract

Background:  Hamstring injuries are common in sports that involve rapid, forceful lengthening of the hamstring muscles, such as sprinting, jumping, and kicking. This type of injury is more likely to occur in team sports such as football and handball. Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to investigate chronic effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on muscle strength and neuromuscular activity of the hamstring muscle. Methods:  Six male team sports players (age: 24.38 ± 1.94 years; height: 180.73 ± 6.05 cm; body-mass: 80.23 ± 10.42 kg) were recruited for this study. Participants completed a 2-month rehabilitation program that included three sessions per week of contract-relax (CR) PNF stretching. Neuromuscular activity and strength were evaluated by electromyography (EMG) and force sensor before and after 8 weeks of CR-PNF stretching. Results:  The neuromuscular activity of the medial and lateral hamstring muscles was significantly different between pre-and post-training for the apex and area of muscle (P < 0.01). Similarly, there was a large difference between pre- and post-training for hamstring muscle strength (medial and lateral) in the contract and relax positions (P < 0.001). Conclusions:  Eight weeks of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching is effective in increasing neuromuscular activity and muscle strength in the hamstring muscles.

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Published

2023-08-30

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2023): Serial Number 14

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Latouf, B. K. A., Halouani, J., Khalil, M. E. M. S., & Chtourou, H. (2023). Effect of 8-Weeks PNF Stretching on Muscle Strength and Neuromuscular Activity of the Hamstring Muscles. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 6(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.6.1.7