Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of a single session of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and motor imagery (MI) techniques on hamstring flexibility. Methods: Sixty-one volunteers were included in the study. Individuals were randomly assigned as static stretching (SS), PNF and MI groups. Fifteen SS and PNF stretching exercises were applied to the SS and PNF groups for both legs, respectively. MI group was asked to imagine a standard hamstring stretching exercise program with the commands of the physiotherapist, without any movement. Before and after the stretching session, hamstring flexibility was evaluated with the right and left leg active straight leg raise test (ASLR) and sit-reach test (SRT). Results: The statistically significant differences were found in the pre-and post-session right and left ASLR and SRT scores of SS, PNF and MI groups (pSS=0.004, pPNF=0.002, pMI=0.004; pSS<0.001, pPNF<0.001, pMI<0.001; pSS=0.009, pPNF=0.002, pMI=0.003; respectively). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the SS, PNF and MI groups in terms of right, left ASLR and SRT scores (F(2;49)=0.396, p=0.675, F(2;49)=0.906, p=0.411, F(2;47)=0.271, p=0.764; respectively). Conclusion: The study presented that a single session application of SS, PNF, and MI have shown positive effects on hamstring flexibility and none of them were not superior to each other. Considering clinical implications of current results, MI may be recommended such as SS and PNF when SS and PNF stretching cannot be performed or as a home exercise program. Further studies that compare the long-term effects of these techniques are needed in the literature.

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