Johnson, K. D., Sun, J., Henry, R. N., & Marshall, A. (2012). Effects of static and PNF stretching on knee peak torque in aerobically trained female athletes. Presentation 997 at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, San Francisco, California; May 29-June 2, 2012.

This study determined the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on knee peak torques in aerobically trained female athletes (N = 17). Knee flexion and knee extension peak torque were measured isokinetically in the dominant lower limb under three conditions: 1) no stretching, 2) post-static stretching, and 3) post-proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching. The stretching protocol for post-static stretching and post-proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching included three stretching sets of 30 seconds each (10 seconds rest between sets) for knee flexors and extensors (six sets total for both conditions). Immediately following the stretching protocol, knee flexion and extension peak torque were measured using a calibrated Biodex System II dynamometer (180° per second).

Post-static stretching and post-proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching knee extension and flexion peak torques were significantly lower when compared to no stretching values.

Implication. Static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching can significantly reduce peak torque values for both knee flexion and extension and may possibly negatively compromise athletic performance in females.

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