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.