Pulsed Short-Wave Diathermy and Its Influence on a Proprioceptive Neuomuscular Facilitation Stretching Protocol of the Hamstrings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 20 minute pulsed short-wave PSWD (PSWD) treatment on a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching protocol of the hamstrings. For this human subjects approved study, 35 healthy subjects with no history of lower extremity surgery or injury in the 6 months prior to the study volunteered. Thirty-four subjects (male: n = 19, age = 22.89 3.13 yrs, ht = 172.89 6.30cm, mass = 77.84 9.35 kg; female: n = 16, age = 20.44 2.28 yrs, ht = 163.06 6.06 cm, mass = 70.50 10.94 kg) completed all requirements of the study. Subjects received baseline range of motion (ROM) and average power production taken prior to a 20 minute PSWD or No PSWD treatment. Immediately post treatment, a contract relax, hold relax, contract relax w/ agonist contraction, or control (nothing) PNF stretch was performed. Immediately post, 10 minutes post, and 20 minutes post stretching. Subjects receiving contract relax and contract relax w/ Pulsed short wave PSWD produced greater ROM in the contract relax and contract relax w/ agonist contraction groups (P < .001). Those who received PSWD prior to contract relax and hold relax had greatest hip flexion ROM (P = .001). Those receiving PSWD on Days 2 and 5 had greater hip flexion ROM than those not receiving PSWD (P = .03). Range of motion increased for those receiving PNF stretching (P < .05). Subjects receiving contract relax and contract relax w/ agonist contraction increased ROM (P < .001). There was no difference between treatment and stretch type for muscle power (P = .61). Those in the hold relax group however, had less muscular power than those in the contract relax, contract relax w/ agonist contraction, and control groups (P < .05).