Kokkonen, J., & Lauritzen, S. (1995). Isotonic strength and endurance gains through PNF stretching. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27(5), Supplement abstract 127.

Participants in a college aerobic fitness class served as an experimental and control group to evaluate the effect of a stretching routine on strength and muscular endurance gains. The results showed:

• in the male experimental group, flexibility increased 38%, strength by 17.2%, and endurance by 35.6%;
• in the female experimental group, flexibility increased by 23.3%, strength by 16.8%, and endurance by 35.5%; and
• in the control group no gains were significant.

Implication. PNF stretching could be an alternative to, or supplemental method for standard weight training programs. As well as muscular strength and endurance improvements, the added benefits of improved flexibility would suggest that it is a productive procedure for valuable training time.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.