Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

The Effect Of A Period Of PNF Training With And Without Myofascial Release On Hamstring Muscle Flexibility, Range Of Motion Of the Hip Joint And Function Of The Knee And Hip Joints.

Articles in Press

Authors

mohammadali soleimanfallah
ehsan shayanfar
behnaz gangi namin
Abstract
Abstract

Hamstring flexibility plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of Wushu athletes and can increase their chances of success at both national and international levels. Aim: The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) training program, with and without myofascial release(MR), on hamstring flexibility, range of motion(ROM), and the performance of the Knee and Hip joints in male Wushu athletes. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 36 Wushu athletes, aged between 18 and 38 years, who were purposively and randomly divided into three groups of 12 participants: a PNF stretching training group with myofascial release, a PNF stretching training group without myofascial release, and a control group. All participants followed the training protocol for 6 weeks, and at the end, a final test was conducted on all groups.hamstring flexibility was evaluate with the AKE 90-90 test, hip flexion ROM with a goniometer, and the function of knee and hip joints was performed with Sargent's jump. Results: The results of the statistical analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the effect of PNF stretching with release on hamstring muscle flexibility was significant (α = 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the PNF group with and without MR in terms of increased hamstring flexibility and hip flexion ROM (P>0.05). Also, knee and hip joints performance did not show any significant change from pre-test to post-test. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be recommended to wushu players to use PNF stretching with MR to increase hamstring muscle flexibility.

Keywords

Hamstring flexibility
Wushu
PNF
Myofascial release
range of motion
Knee and hip joint performance
1. Jiménez-Sánchez C, Fortún-Rabadán R, Carpallo-Porcar B, Cordova-Alegre P, Espejo-Antúnez L, Ortiz-Lucas M. Effectiveness of electrical muscle elongation and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation programs on muscle flexibility and stiffness in young adults with functional hamstring disorder: a randomized clinical trial with 4-week follow-up. Life. 2025;15(4):523. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040523.
2. Suganthirababu P, Alagesan J. Effectiveness of PNF stretching in hamstring tightness population having low back pain. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther. 2024;18. https://doi.org/10.37506/zd1t1840.
3. Russo L, Riccio S, Zecca G, Larion A, Di Giminiani R, Padulo J, Popa C, Migliaccio GM. Inter-set foam rolling of the latissimus dorsi acutely increases repetitions in lat pull-down exercise without affecting RPE. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2024;9(1):43. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010043.
4. Khan T, Rizvi MR, Sharma A, Ahmad F, Hasan S, Uddin S, Sidiq M, Ammari A, Iqbal A, Alghadir AH. Assessing muscle energy technique and foam roller self-myofascial release for low back pain management in two-wheeler riders. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):12144. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62881-8.
5. Gong W. The effects of rhythmic exercise using PNF patterns on gait variables in normal adults. Technol Health Care. 2024;16(Preprint):1-8. https://doi.org/10.3233/THC-248036.
6. Yenil S, Colak GY, Ozyurek S. Effects of foam rolling prior to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on hamstring flexibility and thigh skin temperature. J Sport Rehabil. 2024;1(aop):1-0. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2023-0304.
7. Papoli AF, Hosseini SM, Mirkarimpour SH. Effects of different treatments on pain, functional disability, position sense and range of motion in elite bodybuilders with chronic low back pain. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):9176. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59684-2.
8. Malek NF, Nadzalan AM, Tan K, Nor Azmi AM, Krishnan Vasanthi R, Pavlović R, Badau D, Badau A. The acute effect of dynamic vs. proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on sprint and jump performance. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2024;9(1):42. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010042.
9. Namsawang J, Srijunto W, Werasirirat P, Snieckus A, Bradauskiene K, Kamandulis S, Muanjai P. The effects of 6-week home-based static stretching, dynamic stretching, or eccentric exercise interventions on muscle-tendon properties and functional performance in older women. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2024;22(2):117-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2024.01.001.
10. Pérez-Bellmunt A, Casasayas-Cos O, Ragazzi P, Rodríguez-Sanz J, Hidalgo-García C, Canet-Vintró M, Caballero-Martínez I, Pacheco L, López-de-Celis C. Foam rolling vs proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching in the hamstring flexibility of amateur athletes: control trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(2):1439. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021439.
11. Hanks J, Myers B. Validity, reliability, and efficiency of a standard goniometer, medical inclinometer, and builder's inclinometer. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2023;18(4):989-996. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.83944.
12. Komalasari DR, Zaki RA. The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching exercises on pain and postural balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Phys Ther J Indones. 2023;4(2):138-143. https://doi.org/10.51559/ptji.v4i2.117.
13. Rezaei Tabar F, Norasteh AA. Comparing the range of motion of lower limb joints in women with and without overweight. J Sport Biomech. 2022;8(1):66-78. https://doi.org/10.21859/JSportBiomech.8.1.4.
14. Mani E, Kirmizigil B, Tüzün EH. Effects of two different stretching techniques on proprioception and hamstring flexibility: a pilot study. J Comp Eff Res. 2021;10(13):987-999. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2021-0040.
15. Ranbhor AR, Prabhakar AJ, Eapen C. Immediate effect of foam roller on pain and ankle range of motion in patients with plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial. Hong Kong Physiother J. 2021;41(1):25-33. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1013702521500025.
16. Ghafouri A, Mohammadi F, Ganji B. Relationship between selected performance tests and non-contact sports injuries in male Wushu players. Phys Treat. 2020;10(4):239-249. https://doi.org/10.32598/ptj.10.4.459.1.
17. Kim GW, Lee JH. Hamstring foam roller release and sole self myofascial release for improving hamstring muscles flexibility in participants with hamstring shortness. J Korean Soc Phys Med. 2020;15(4):1-9. https://doi.org/10.13066/kspm.2020.15.4.1.
18. Kim GW, Lee JH. Hamstring foam roller release and sole self myofascial release for improving hamstring muscles flexibility in participants with hamstring shortness. Korean Soc Phys Med. 2020 Nov 30;15(4):1-9. https://doi.org/10.13066/kspm.2013.8.4.609.
19. Warren AJ, LaCross Z, Volberding JL, O’Brien MS. Acute outcomes of myofascial decompression (cupping therapy) compared to self-myofascial release on hamstring pathology after a single treatment. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020;15(4):579. https://doi.org/10.26603/ijspt20200579.
20. Lempke L, Wilkinson R, Murray C, Stanek J. The effectiveness of PNF versus static stretching on increasing hip-flexion range of motion. J Sport Rehabil. 2018;27(3):289-294. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2016-0098.
21. Monazzami A, Monazzami S, Hematfar A, Monazzami A. Acute effects of static, ballistic and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on vertical jump and agility and fifty-meter sprint performance in youth soccer players. J Pract Stud Biosci Sport. 2018;6(12):35-46. https://doi.org/10.22077/jpsbs.2017.123.1050.
22. Asad MR, Hovanloo F, Mirali M. Acute effects of antagonist muscle PNF stretching on neuromuscular fatigue, strength and electromyography of agonist muscle in knee joint of non-athlete peoples. J Exerc Physiol Phys Act. 2016;9(1):1333-1344. https://doi.org/10.48308/joeppa.2016.98805.
23. Mohr AR, Long BC, Goad CL. Effect of foam rolling and static stretching on passive hip-flexion range of motion. J Sport Rehabil. 2014;23(4):296-299. https://doi.org/10.1123/JSR.2013-0025.
24. Gelen E. Acute effects of different warm-up methods on sprint, slalom dribbling, and penalty kick performance in soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(4):950-956. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cb703f.
25. Markovic G, Dizdar D, Jukic I, Cardinale M. Reliability and factorial validity of squat and countermovement jump tests. J Strength Cond Res. 2004;18(3):551-555. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2004)182.0.CO;2.
26. Cameron DM, Bohannon RW. Relationship between active knee extension and active straight leg raise test measurements. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993;17(5):257-260. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1993.17.5.257.
Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 October 2019