Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is more commonly known by the acronym PNF. The main purpose of PNF stretching is to promote or hasten the response of a neuromuscular mechanism through stimulation of the proprioceptors. PNF is mainly used to help strengthen and increase flexibility of any muscle in the body for sport competition or everyday use.
These exercises also increase range of motion of a joint due to the increase in flexibility. This is done by using a combination of static passive stretching and isometric stretching. The agonist and the antagonist muscle groups of the specific area are alternately contracted and relaxed in order to achieve the benefits of this type of stretching.
PNF stretching takes advantage of the sudden increase in elasticity of the muscle and increased range of motion by using the short amount of time immediately following the isometric contraction to gain a slightly further amount of stretch. Along with the previously mentioned goals of PNF stretching are many more benefits such as the use of PNF to facilitate rehabilitation of an injured area.
Flexibility is used to establish a functional range of motion before proceeding to resistive exercises. Also, PNF stretching can help prevent injury or re-injury and can provide a good warm-up for upcoming exercises.
PNF was initially developed as a method of rehabilitating stroke patients. Physical therapists were then the first to use PNF for treating patients with various types of neuromuscular paralysis. Today, PNF stretching is the fastest and most effective method known to increase static-passive flexibility.
These exercises also increase range of motion of a joint due to the increase in flexibility. This is done by using a combination of static passive stretching and isometric stretching. The agonist and the antagonist muscle groups of the specific area are alternately contracted and relaxed in order to achieve the benefits of this type of stretching.
PNF stretching takes advantage of the sudden increase in elasticity of the muscle and increased range of motion by using the short amount of time immediately following the isometric contraction to gain a slightly further amount of stretch. Along with the previously mentioned goals of PNF stretching are many more benefits such as the use of PNF to facilitate rehabilitation of an injured area.
Flexibility is used to establish a functional range of motion before proceeding to resistive exercises. Also, PNF stretching can help prevent injury or re-injury and can provide a good warm-up for upcoming exercises.
PNF was initially developed as a method of rehabilitating stroke patients. Physical therapists were then the first to use PNF for treating patients with various types of neuromuscular paralysis. Today, PNF stretching is the fastest and most effective method known to increase static-passive flexibility.
