The effects of dynamic, static, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on local & non-local range of motion and pain onset

This study compared the immediate effects of a single 30-second stretching bout on local (stretched) and non-local (non-stretched) range of motion (ROM), pain sensitivity/onset, strength, and endurance. Fourteen participants were involved with this within-subjects, repeated-measures study, consisting of four conditions: 30-seconds of static (SS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), dynamic (DS) stretching, and a no-stretch control condition. Passive hip flexion and shoulder extension ROM, pain pressure thresholds (PPT), knee flexors and right shoulder extension maximum voluntary isometric contraction force (MVIC), 30-s MVIC fatigue index and muscle activation (electromyography: EMG) were measured pre- and post-intervention. The primary findings were that 30-seconds of SS elicited greater moderate magnitude ROM improvements in the stretched limb (p < 0.001, 8.1%) compared to control. Non- significant (p = 0.08) SS-induced ROM gains were observed with the contralateral leg inferring the possibility of crossover effects in some individuals. There were no significant effects on the shoulder with any intervention. All conditions including control experienced MVIC force decreases with the stretched limb (p = 0.007). However, there were no significant PPT interactions. Women demonstrated greater ROM whereas men exhibited greater force, EMG activity, and fatigue indices. In conclusion, while passive ROM improved across all conditions, these gains can be accompanied by declines in MVIC force. Overall, 30-seconds elicited significant increases in ROM of the stretched leg respectively; however, it failed to produce any significant effects on the contralateral leg and shoulder.