KMAN Publication Inc. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health 2588-5782 6 Serial Number 14 2023 08 30 Effect of 8-Weeks PNF Stretching on Muscle Strength and Neuromuscular Activity of the Hamstring Muscles Effect of 8-Weeks PNF Stretching on Muscle Strength and Neuromuscular Activity of the Hamstring Muscles 37 42 10.61838/kman.intjssh.6.1.7 EN Journal Article <article> <div class="mb content text-indent"> <h4 class="font-main d-inline font-weight-bold">Background:</h4>  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.</div> </article> <article> <div class="mb content text-indent"> <h4 class="font-main d-inline font-weight-bold">Objectives:</h4>  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.</div> </article> <article> <div class="mb content text-indent"> <h4 class="font-main d-inline font-weight-bold">Methods:</h4>  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.</div> </article> <article> <div class="mb content text-indent"> <h4 class="font-main d-inline font-weight-bold">Results:</h4>  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).</div> </article> <article> <div class="mb content text-indent"> <h4 class="font-main d-inline font-weight-bold">Conclusions:</h4>  Eight weeks of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching is effective in increasing neuromuscular activity and muscle strength in the hamstring muscles.</div> </article>

https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/Intjssh/article/download/2172/2626