An electromyographic investigation of the pattern of overflow facilitated by manual resistive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in young healthy individuals: a preliminary study

AbstractAim: To investigate the pattern of overflow facilitated by the use of resistive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Method: In a group of 12 young, healthy individuals, recruitment of electrical activity into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of the right lower limb (RLL) was assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) during a random-sequence application of manually-resistive PNF to the other three limbs. Results: Resistance exercise applied to the left lower limb (LLL) was associated with a considerable increase in sEMG activity in the RLL TA muscle compared to its baseline level (p = 0.001). Resistance exercise applied to the right or left upper limbs (RUL or LUL) respectively showed similar sEMG activity in RLL TA muscle to its baseline level. Conclusion: A resistance exercise would appear to be effective in producing electrical activity in the contralateral homologous muscles of non-exercised limb.