A comparison of a self-stretch incorporating proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation components and a therapist-applied PNF-technique on hamstring flexibility

Objectives To compare the effectiveness of a self-stretch incorporating proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation components (Group I) versus a PNF ‘Slow Reversal Hold Relax’(SRHR) technique applied by a physiotherapist (Group II) in comparison to a control group receiving no intervention.

Design Subjects were randomly allocated to either one of the two experimental groups or a control group.

Setting Treatment room at Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Participants Forty-two subjects between the ages of 20 and 55.

Main outcome measures Range of hip flexion assessed by a passive straight leg raise measured at baseline and again following the intervention.

Results The mean change in range of right hip flexion was found to be 9.6° (95% confidence interval 6.6–12.6°) in Group I and 12.6° (95% confidence interval 9.6–15.5°) in Group II. Post hoc analysis demonstrated Groups I and II to be significantly different to the control group (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences when the stretching regimes were compared.

Conclusions Both stretching regimes incorporating proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation components resulted in a significant increase in hamstring flexibility when applied once for 2minutes. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.