Abstract
[Purpose] We investigated the short-term effects arising from basic techniques of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) using the response time. [Subjects] The subjects were 40 healthy men. [Method] In the sitting and supine positions, we measured the times of elbow flexion movements in the Resting (R) group, Elbow Movement (EM) group and PNF group, which received a PNF intervention of flexion and internal and external rotation, and investigated the duration of effect using the response time (RT) immediately before, just after and at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after intervention. [Results] In the PNF group, we found that RT was shortened compared to before intervention for 20 min after the intervention in both the sitting and supine positions. In the R and EM groups no significant differences were found. [Conclusion] Irrespective of posture, a short-term PNF effect lasting for 20 min was found in the the PNF group, and we consider this useful for the practical application of physical therapy techniques.
