Hamstring FlexibilityPNF+NMESNCT06648356
Effects of Combining PNF With NMES in Young Basketball Players
A study testing Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF) in people with Hamstring Flexibility, run by Cardenal Herrera University at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Hamstring muscle injuries are common in basketball and result in long periods of inactivity. This study aims to compare two different stretching programs to assess their effects on hamstring flexibility and, secondarily, on jumping ability in young basketball players. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 11 to 18 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hamstring Flexibility
- What is being tested?
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2024to 23 Oct 2024
- 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 11 to 18 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Active basketball players who train at least 3 days a week
- Ages between 11 and 18 years
- Male gender
Who cannot join
- Participation in an organized hamstring stretching program
- Presence of low back pain
- Hamstring muscle injuries in the last 6 months
- Spinal or abdominal surgeries in the last 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Spain1 site
University Ceu Cardenal Herrera
Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46113
About this study
Official title: Short Term Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Young Basketball Players: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Hamstring muscle injuries are common in basketball and result in long periods of inactivity. This study aims to compare two different stretching programs to assess their effects on hamstring flexibility and, secondarily, on jumping ability in young basketball players. One program uses a special stretching technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), while the other uses the same stretching but adds electrical stimulation (NMES).
Read the detailed description
Hamstring strains are increasingly common in sports, particularly in football and professional basketball, where they are the fourth most frequent injury. Stretching, especially when combined with techniques like proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), is a key method used to reduce the risk of these injuries. PNF, which involves alternating stretches with muscle contractions, is widely regarded for improving muscle flexibility. Recently, stretching combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has also shown promise for increasing flexibility. A variant of PNF called contract-relax PNF (crPNF) has been proposed, where NMES is applied during the contraction phase to further enhance flexibility gains. However, there are no studies on the short-term effects of crPNF and crPNF + NMES in young male basketball players, a group known for higher degrees of hamstring shortening.
This study aims to compare the short-term effects of crPNF and crPNF + NMES on hamstring flexibility in young male basketball players and assess whether one technique is superior to the other. A secondary goal is to determine if either stretching protocol negatively impacts vertical jump ability, an important skill in basketball.
- Conditions
- Hamstring Flexibility
- Being tested
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)
- Keywords
- hamstring flexibility, vertical jump, basketball, Propioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)Other
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is applied during an isometric contraction. The NMES uses a symmetrical biphasic rectangular pulse (50Hz frequency and 300 µs phase width) delivered through an Enraf Nonius TensMed S82 electrostimulator. Two 5x9 cm electrodes are placed on the hamstrings, and participants adjust the current to a moderate-strong, yet painless, contraction level. During the intervention, one researcher maintains the stretch position while another researcher controls the current intensity and monitors the timing of both stretching and contractions.
Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)Other
The crPNF Group engages in an isolated contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF) stretching protocol. Participants are positioned in a long sitting posture with maximum knee extension until they feel a moderate-strong stretch sensation, without pain. Each stretch lasts for 20 seconds, followed by a 5-second maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the hamstrings. Participants complete three cycles of stretch and contraction. One researcher maintains the stretch position while a second researcher controls the timing of the stretching and contractions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF) | Active comparator | Participants in this group performed a stretching protocol using contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF). The participants are placed in a long sitting position with maximum knee extension possible until a moderate-strong stretch sensation is felt, without pain. The stretch lasts for 20 seconds, followed by a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the hamstrings for 5 seconds. Three stretch-contraction cycles are completed. One researcher maintains the stretch position, while a second researcher controls the stretching and contraction times. Receives: Other: Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF) |
| Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF) | Experimental | The participants follow the same stretching protocol but with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) added. Electrical stimulation (50Hz, 300 µs pulse width) is applied using an Enraf Nonius TensMed S82 device. Two 5x9 cm electrodes are placed on the hamstrings, and participants adjust the current to a moderate-strong, but painless, contraction. One researcher maintains the stretch, while another adjusts the current intensity and controls the timing of the stretching and contraction. Receives: Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Other: Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The Popliteal Angle Test
The Popliteal Angle Test is validated for measuring hamstring extensibility. Participants are placed in the supine position. A researcher holds the hip at a 90° flexion and passively extends the knee until the participant feels a strong stretch without pain. The examiner records the knee extension degrees at that moment using an inclinometer. The test is repeated three times, and the average is obtained. A full knee extension corresponds to a value of 0 degrees, and a higher number of degrees indicates greater hamstring shortening.
Measured: Before and inmediately after the intervention
The Sit & Reach Test
The Sit \& Reach Test has high intra-examiner reliability and is validated for measuring hamstring extensibility. For its execution, participants are placed in a long sitting position with the soles of their feet against the base of the measurement box. Keeping their knees extended, they reach for the maximum possible distance in the box with their fingers. The test is repeated three times, and the average is obtained. Values are recorded in centimeters, where a greater distance indicates a higher degree of hamstring extensibility.
Measured: Before and inmediately after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
The Counter Movement Jump
The Counter Movement Jump is validated and standardized in adolescents for measuring jumping ability. The instructions by Petrigna et al. are followed to perform the jump (Figure 2C). The My Jump App is used, which has high reliability and validity for measuring vertical jump height in centimeters. A greater height indicates a greater jumping ability.
Measured: Before and inmediately after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Oct 2024
- Study start1 Oct 2024
- Primary completion22 Oct 2024
- Study completion23 Oct 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Hamstring FlexibilityStudies 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cardenal Herrera University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Juan F. Lisón Párraga, Dr, Cardenal Herrera University
- Investigators
- Juan Francisco Lisón Párraga, Dr, Principal investigator, Cardenal Herrera University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06648356
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UNIVERSITY CARDENAL HERRERA-86
- Acronym
- PNF+NMES
- Status last verified
- Oct 2024
- First submitted
- 14 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 30 Oct 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Oct 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Short Term Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Young Basketball Players: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06648356
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PNF+NMES / UNIVERSITY CARDENAL HERRERA-86
- Conditions
- Hamstring Flexibility
- Keywords
- hamstring flexibility, vertical jump, basketball, Propioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cardenal Herrera UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Oct 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Oct 2024 (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.
Hamstring muscle injuries are common in basketball and result in long periods of inactivity. This study aims to compare two different stretching programs to assess their effects on hamstring flexibility and, secondarily, on jumping ability in young basketball players. One program uses a special stretching technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), while the other uses the same stretching but adds electrical stimulation (NMES).
Detailed description
Hamstring strains are increasingly common in sports, particularly in football and professional basketball, where they are the fourth most frequent injury. Stretching, especially when combined with techniques like proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), is a key method used to reduce the risk of these injuries. PNF, which involves alternating stretches with muscle contractions, is widely regarded for improving muscle flexibility. Recently, stretching combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has also shown promise for increasing flexibility. A variant of PNF called contract-relax PNF (crPNF) has been proposed, where NMES is applied during the contraction phase to further enhance flexibility gains. However, there are no studies on the short-term effects of crPNF and crPNF + NMES in young male basketball players, a group known for higher degrees of hamstring shortening.
This study aims to compare the short-term effects of crPNF and crPNF + NMES on hamstring flexibility in young male basketball players and assess whether one technique is superior to the other. A secondary goal is to determine if either stretching protocol negatively impacts vertical jump ability, an important skill in basketball.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF) | Active comparator | Other: Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)Participants in this group performed a stretching protocol using contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF). The participants are placed in a long sitting position with maximum knee extension possible until a moderate-strong stretch sensation is felt, without pain. The stretch lasts for 20 seconds, followed by a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the hamstrings for 5 seconds. Three stretch-contraction cycles are completed. One researcher maintains the stretch position, while a second researcher controls the stretching and contraction times. |
| Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF) | Experimental | Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), Other: Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)The participants follow the same stretching protocol but with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) added. Electrical stimulation (50Hz, 300 µs pulse width) is applied using an Enraf Nonius TensMed S82 device. Two 5x9 cm electrodes are placed on the hamstrings, and participants adjust the current to a moderate-strong, but painless, contraction. One researcher maintains the stretch, while another adjusts the current intensity and controls the timing of the stretching and contraction. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 11 to 18 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Active basketball players who train at least 3 days a week
- Ages between 11 and 18 years
- Male gender
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participation in an organized hamstring stretching program
- Presence of low back pain
- Hamstring muscle injuries in the last 6 months
- Spinal or abdominal surgeries in the last 6 months
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is applied during an isometric contraction. The NMES uses a symmetrical biphasic rectangular pulse (50Hz frequency and 300 µs phase width) delivered through an Enraf Nonius TensMed S82 electrostimulator. Two 5x9 cm electrodes are placed on the hamstrings, and participants adjust the current to a moderate-strong, yet painless, contraction level. During the intervention, one researcher maintains the stretch position while another researcher controls the current intensity and monitors the timing of both stretching and contractions. | Other | Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF) |
| Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)The crPNF Group engages in an isolated contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF) stretching protocol. Participants are positioned in a long sitting posture with maximum knee extension until they feel a moderate-strong stretch sensation, without pain. Each stretch lasts for 20 seconds, followed by a 5-second maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the hamstrings. Participants complete three cycles of stretch and contraction. One researcher maintains the stretch position while a second researcher controls the timing of the stretching and contractions. | Other | Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF), contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF) |
Primary outcome
The Popliteal Angle Test
Time frame: Before and inmediately after the intervention
The Popliteal Angle Test is validated for measuring hamstring extensibility. Participants are placed in the supine position. A researcher holds the hip at a 90° flexion and passively extends the knee until the participant feels a strong stretch without pain. The examiner records the knee extension degrees at that moment using an inclinometer. The test is repeated three times, and the average is obtained. A full knee extension corresponds to a value of 0 degrees, and a higher number of degrees indicates greater hamstring shortening.
The Sit & Reach Test
Time frame: Before and inmediately after the intervention
The Sit \& Reach Test has high intra-examiner reliability and is validated for measuring hamstring extensibility. For its execution, participants are placed in a long sitting position with the soles of their feet against the base of the measurement box. Keeping their knees extended, they reach for the maximum possible distance in the box with their fingers. The test is repeated three times, and the average is obtained. Values are recorded in centimeters, where a greater distance indicates a higher degree of hamstring extensibility.
1 secondary outcome
The Counter Movement Jump
Time frame: Before and inmediately after the intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Oct 2024.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Hamstring Flexibility
Recruiting
IASTM vs. Static Stretching for Hamstring Tightness: Short- and Long-Term Effects
Hamstring Tightness
Active, not recruiting
Hamstring Tissue Flossing vs Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition in Football Players
Short Hamstring Syndrome
Recruiting
Myofascial Release Combined With FIFA 11+: Effects on Hamstring Flexibility and Injury Risk
Hamstring Injury
Enrolling by invitation
Comparison of Eccentric Exercise and Static Stretching on Muscle Flexibility
Muscle Stretching Exercise, Range of Motion, Articular
Not yet recruiting
Red Light Therapy: a Potential Strategy to Reduce Sports Injury Risk?
Ankle Dorsiflexion
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.
Juan Francisco Lisón Párraga, Dr principal investigator
Cardenal Herrera University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF) in people with Hamstring Flexibility, run by Cardenal Herrera University 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 3 inclusion and 4 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Oct 2024. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
The Popliteal Angle Test (time frame: Before and inmediately after the intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 30 Oct 2024.