Sports Physical TherapyNCT05134883
PNF Stretching Compared to SMR on Hamstrings
A study testing PNF and SMR in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Universitat Internacional de Catalunya at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The use of stretching techniques in the sports world is frequent and widely used for its many effects. One of the main benefits is the gain in flexibility, range of motion and facilitation of the sporting performance. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sports Physical Therapy
- What is being tested?
- PNF and SMR
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 5 Oct 2021to 30 Jan 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- -
Who cannot join
- hypermobility
- hamstring injury in the previous 6 months
- diagnosed orthopedic problems
- surgery in the lower limbs
- back pain
- spine surgery
- systemic or neurological disorders.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Hamstrings Flexibility After Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Compared to Self-myofascial Release: a Randomized Controlled Trial
The use of stretching techniques in the sports world is frequent and widely used for its many effects. One of the main benefits is the gain in flexibility, range of motion and facilitation of the sporting performance. Recently the use of self-myofascial release (SMR) has spread in sports practice both at elite and recreational level for its benefits being similar to those observed in stretching. The objective of the following study is to compare the results of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching with SMR on the hamstring muscle flexibility.
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Being tested
- PNF, SMR
- Keywords
- Stretching, Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Hamstrings
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PNFOther
A PNF stretching protocol will be performed with each participant assuming a long sitting position on a plinth with the knee maintained as extended as possible. At this moment, the participant will be asked to perform a maximum isometric hamstring muscle contraction for 5 seconds followed by 5 seconds of relaxation and 20 seconds of stretching. The therapist will show the participant how to maintain this isometric contraction with the flexion of the hip and ankle. Each participant will undergo 4 repetitions of PNF stretching (30 seconds/rep).
SMROther
For the application of self-myofascial release, the subjects will assume a long sitting position on a firm and even surface by placing the arms backward and transferring their body weight to their palms. The roller foam, applied bilaterally, will be placed under the hamstrings and slowly moved back and forth from the ischial tuberosity to the popliteal fossa by applying pressure for 2 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) | Experimental | This group will undergo a PNF stretching on the hamstring muscles. Receives: Other: PNF |
| self myo-fascial release (SMR) | Active comparator | This group will undergo a SMR stretching on the hamstring muscles. Receives: Other: SMR |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Hamstring muscle flexibility (mm)
Evaluated with a modified sit-and-reach test (MSR). The participants sit on the floor with their lower limbs stretched out and together, their backs and hips are supported against the wall (90° hip flexion), and the soles of their feet are placed against the edge of a box. Participants then extended their arms forward, placing the same hand on top of the other with both hands facing down. During this, they keep their backs against the wall. They then reach forward, sliding their hands along the measuring scale as far as possible without bending their knees
Measured: Change between baseline(immediately before intervention), mid-intervention (30 seconds after the start of the intervention) and post intervention (2 minutes after the start of the intervention)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Discomfort sensation
Measured using the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE). The participants will be asked at the end of the intervention to give a number from 1 to 10, where 1 is the easiest and 10 the hardest.
Measured: Change between baseline(immediately before intervention), mid-intervention (30 seconds after start of intervention) and post intervention (2 minutes after the start of the intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Nov 2021
- Study start5 Oct 2021
- Primary completion25 Oct 2021
- Study completion30 Jan 2022 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sports Physical TherapyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Albert Pérez Bellmunt, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
- Investigators
- Albert Pérez-Bellmunt, PhD, Principal investigator, Universitat International Catalunya
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05134883
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PNF_01
- Status last verified
- Nov 2021
- First submitted
- 12 Oct 2021
- Last updated
- 26 Nov 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Perez-Bellmunt A, Casasayas-Cos O, Ragazzi P, Rodriguez-Sanz J, Hidalgo-Garcia C, Canet-Vintro M, Caballero-Martinez I, Pacheco L, Lopez-de-Celis C. Foam Rolling vs. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching in the Hamstring Flexibility of Amateur Athletes: Control Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 12;20(2):1439. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021439.
PubMed 36674197
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Nov 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Hamstrings Flexibility After Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Compared to Self-myofascial Release: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05134883
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PNF_01
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Keywords
- Stretching, Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Hamstrings
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2022 (estimated)
- First posted
- 26 Nov 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The use of stretching techniques in the sports world is frequent and widely used for its many effects. One of the main benefits is the gain in flexibility, range of motion and facilitation of the sporting performance. Recently the use of self-myofascial release (SMR) has spread in sports practice both at elite and recreational level for its benefits being similar to those observed in stretching. The objective of the following study is to compare the results of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching with SMR on the hamstring muscle flexibility.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) | Experimental | Other: PNFThis group will undergo a PNF stretching on the hamstring muscles. |
| self myo-fascial release (SMR) | Active comparator | Other: SMRThis group will undergo a SMR stretching on the hamstring muscles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- hypermobility
- hamstring injury in the previous 6 months
- diagnosed orthopedic problems
- surgery in the lower limbs
- back pain
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PNFA PNF stretching protocol will be performed with each participant assuming a long sitting position on a plinth with the knee maintained as extended as possible. At this moment, the participant will be asked to perform a maximum isometric hamstring muscle contraction for 5 seconds followed by 5 seconds of relaxation and 20 seconds of stretching. The therapist will show the participant how to maintain this isometric contraction with the flexion of the hip and ankle. Each participant will undergo 4 repetitions of PNF stretching (30 seconds/rep). | Other | Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) |
| SMRFor the application of self-myofascial release, the subjects will assume a long sitting position on a firm and even surface by placing the arms backward and transferring their body weight to their palms. The roller foam, applied bilaterally, will be placed under the hamstrings and slowly moved back and forth from the ischial tuberosity to the popliteal fossa by applying pressure for 2 minutes. | Other | self myo-fascial release (SMR) |
Primary outcome
Hamstring muscle flexibility (mm)
Time frame: Change between baseline(immediately before intervention), mid-intervention (30 seconds after the start of the intervention) and post intervention (2 minutes after the start of the intervention)
Evaluated with a modified sit-and-reach test (MSR). The participants sit on the floor with their lower limbs stretched out and together, their backs and hips are supported against the wall (90° hip flexion), and the soles of their feet are placed against the edge of a box. Participants then extended their arms forward, placing the same hand on top of the other with both hands facing down. During this, they keep their backs against the wall. They then reach forward, sliding their hands along the measuring scale as far as possible without bending their knees
1 secondary outcome
Discomfort sensation
Time frame: Change between baseline(immediately before intervention), mid-intervention (30 seconds after start of intervention) and post intervention (2 minutes after the start of the intervention)
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Nov 2021.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 36674197Perez-Bellmunt A, Casasayas-Cos O, Ragazzi P, Rodriguez-Sanz J, Hidalgo-Garcia C, Canet-Vintro M, Caballero-Martinez I, Pacheco L, Lopez-de-Celis C. Foam Rolling vs. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching in the Hamstring Flexibility of Amateur Athletes: Control Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 12;20(2):1439. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021439.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Albert Pérez-Bellmunt, PhD principal investigator
Universitat International Catalunya
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing PNF and SMR in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Universitat Internacional de Catalunya at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Nov 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Hamstring muscle flexibility (mm) (time frame: Change between baseline(immediately before intervention), mid-intervention (30 seconds after the start of the intervention) and post intervention (2 minutes after the start of the intervention)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05134883, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Nov 2021; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.