CHANGES IN RANGE OF MOTION RESULTING FROM VARYING INTENSITIES OF ISOMETRIC CONTRACTIONS DURING PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATIONS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in flexibility in males and females during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitations (PNF) of the erector spinae and the hamstrings musculature at different intensities in a series of 4 repetitions of a single exercise bout. In four randomized trials, the 15 subjects (11 males and 4 females), aged 18-59 years performed a PNF flexibility exercise protocol using two intensities of isometric contraction. There were no significant differences between angles (range of motion) after repetition #1, #2, #3 or #4 between the MVIC and 50% MVIC trials. No trends were established between changes in flexibility and intensity of effort.