Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for stretching and balance

[Guest guest]

We are doing this in aquatics. ~ Gretchen

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/fitness-stretching.htm

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) has received

considerable attention recently, since it is thought to improve range

of motion in the skeletal joints to a greater extent than

conventional static stretching.

A typical PNF stretch might start with an athlete lying on his back,

with one leg raised and held straight; a partner then attempts to

push the raised leg up and back, thus stretching the hamstring. The

traditional approach would be to push the leg back until a stretch is

felt, hold it for a time (maybe 10 seconds) and then push it a bit

further, thus increasing the range of motion. By contrast, for PNF

stretch, instead of holding for a few seconds, the athlete tries to

push his leg back to the ground in opposition to his partner's

efforts. Once this contraction is relaxed, the partner finds he can

push the athlete's leg through a greater range of motion.

and here's more (this we're doing in the pool with a variety of

floats and things, also an exercise swinging arms like a

simulated " golf swing " - eyes 'track' the hands/arms from side to

side. Good for balance.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/thermod/pnf.html

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, or otherwise known as PNF,

is a strengthening technique used in therapeutic exercise that is

based on human anatomy and neurophysiology. It is used to increase

strength, flexibility, and ROM.

Physiology - PNF exercises are based on the stretch reflex which is

caused by stimulation of the golgi tendon and muscle spindles. This

stimulation results in impulses being sent to the brain, which leads

to the contraction and relaxation of muscles. When a body part is

injured, there is a delay in the stimulation of the muscle spindles

and golgi tendons resulting in weakness of the muscle. PNF exercises

help to re-educate the motor units which are lost due to the injury.

These also overflow.

To perform PNF exercises, it is important to remember the following

principles:

Patient must be taught the pattern.

Have the patient watch the moving limb moved passively.

The athletic trainer must give proper verbal cues.

Manual contact with appropriate pressure is very important.

Contraction of the muscle group is facilitated by hand placement.

Apply maximal resistance throughout ROM.

Resistance will change.

Rotation of movement will change throughout ROM.

Distal movement should occur first and before halfway through

movement.

Use maximal contraction to promote overflow of strength.

Four types of PNF Strengthening:

Rhythmic initiation: includes progression from passive to active-

resistive, then followed by active movement. This is used when a

patient cannot start a range of motion, and to teach the patient the

movement.

Repeated contraction: Patient moves limb isotonically through

resistance until fatigue is present.

Slow reversal: isotonic contraction of agonist and immediate

contraction of antagonist. It helps to develop AROM and coordination

between agonist and antagonist. This helps to increase strength of a

specific ROM.

Rhythmic stabilization: isometric contraction of agonist followed by

isometric contraction of antagonist. It increases the holding power

of a specific ROM.