Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in the Flexibility and Strength of Flexor Muscles and Hamstrings

Introduction: The loss of normal values of ROM due to the lack of flexibility and strength in the hip flexors, quadriceps and hamstrings in soccer players can cause a loss of mobility of the hip and knee joint. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is an active-assisted stretching technique used to improve flexibility and therefore the ranges of joint mobility. Aim. To assess the effectiveness of an intervention by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in the improvement of flexibility and strength in the hamstring, hip flexor and quadriceps musculature compared to conventional stretches in football players. Study design. Randomized, multicentric, single-blind clinical study. Methods. The 30 players will be randomly assigned to the study groups: experimental (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and static stretches) and control (static stretches). The treatment will last 6 weeks, with two sessions a week of 5 minutes each. The study variables will be the range of hip mobility (using goniometry), hamstring flexibility (using the EPR test, inclinometer) and the strength of hip flexors, quadriceps and hamstrings (through the RM test). A descriptive statistical analysis will be carried out calculating the main statistical characteristics and after calculating the normality of the sample (test Kolmogorov- Smirnov), the differences between evaluations in each group (t-student test) and the intra- and intersubject effect will be calculated (ANOVA of repeated measures). Expected results. Improved hip mobility, hamstring flexibility and strength in hip flexors, quadriceps and hamstrings muscles.