Jornal de Yoga e Fisioterapia
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Effect of Irradiation by Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Lower Limb Extensor Muscle Force in Adults

Gupta S, Hamdani N and Sachdev HS

Background and purpose: This study aims at comparing the effectiveness of PNF technique applied by upper extremity and lower extremity on opposite lower limb muscle strength in adults.

Method: 200 subjects including both males and females of age 20-35 years were recruited. All selected subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the PNF pattern applied to them through lottery system. PNF patterns were applied isometrically at final position and isotonically throughout the ROM on contralateral upper and lower limb (dominant). A pre-test post-test same subject design was used in which the maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the extension forces of non-dominant lower limb was measured during isometric PNF pattern at final position and after isotonic PNF patterns. Each subject received a two session of PNF. A strain gauge measured the extension force of lower limb.

Results: In subjects, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of extension force of non-dominant lower limb improved significantly while performing extension PNF pattern (extension-abduction-internal rotation) on dominant lower limb.

Discussion and conclusion: The extension force of the opposite lower limb increased more with PNF pattern of contralateral lower limb than contralateral upper limb and in lower limb homologous pattern was most effective than non-homologous pattern. The result suggests that possible mechanism can be explained by “cross activation” hypothesis and the excitability of non-decussated descending motor fibers, coticospinal tract fibers.