The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Reduces Isometric Strength in Apparently Health Women

Abstract

Muscular strength is considered one of the principal physical aptitude and healthy components [1] and its evaluation through manual grip, besides being relatively simple, does not involve considerable financial expenditures and possesses good predictive capacity. Therefore, it can have great value for triage in programs and researches considering physical activities and sports [2]. Suitable levels of strength and flexibility are important for good physical aptitude and healthy1 thereby previous works report stretching capacity in sport performance reduction [3], by neural and structural modifications due to muscular stretching [4]. Thus, this work aims to investigate the acute effect of PNF stretching method on the isometric strength of muscles used in manual grip of healthy women.Twenty seven (n=27) subjects started the study. However, after going through inclusion and exclusion criterias, thirteen (n=13) women apparently healthy (with menstrual cycle controlled) were used as sample of the present study. This research project was submitted and approved by Comitê de Ética na Pesquisa da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (protocol number: 23083.006771/2011-02).