Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Flexibility Techniques: Acute Effects on Arterial Blood Pressure

In brief: For this study of the acute effects of stretching techniques on arterial blood pressure (ABP), 60 men were assigned to one of three treatment groups, each consisting of one modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique: hold-relax, contract-relax, and slow-reversal-hold-relax (SRHR). Flexibility and ABP data were collected from both baseline (passive stretch) and treatment measurements for each group. AH three treatments were more effective than the baseline stretch for increasing flexibility; the SRHR treatment provided the greatest flexibility. Increases in treatment ABPs were nonsignificant, compared with baseline measures. The authors conclude that the potential benefits of PNF may outweigh the risks of elevated ABP.