Effects of different types of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on dynamic balance control

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acute of contract–relax (CR) and contract–relax–antagonist–contraction (CRAC) targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibialis, and calf muscles and warm-up without stretching on medio-lateral (ML) and antero-posterior (AP) dynamic balance control in healthy young men applied by a physiotherapist in comparison to a control intervention without stretching. Methods: Twenty healthy young men between the age of 18 and 25 performed three interventions in randomized days after standard warm-up: CR intervention, CRAC intervention, and control intervention. ML and AP dynamic balance control was carried out before (Pre) and immediately after (Post) each intervention. Antero-posterior sway (AP sway) and medio-lateral sway (ML sway) under vision and no vision condition were analyzed by posturography. Results: CRAC intervention improved significantly ML dynamic balance control by decreasing ML sway (vision, p = 0.006 and no vision, p < 0.001) and AP sway (vision, p = 0.013 and no vision, p < 0.001). In addition, ML dynamic balance sway was significanly lower after CRAC intervention than control intervention (vision, p < 0.001 and no vision, p < 0.001). In AP dynamic balance control, no effect of CR and CRAC interventions was detected. Conclusion: CRAC stretching of the quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibialis, and calf muscles improved ML dynamic balance.