EFFECTS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION EXERCISE ON LOWER EXTREMITY BALANCE ABILITY IN A HEALTHY COLLEGE-AGE POPULATION

Publication Date

4-5-2019

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Graduate

Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Mentor

Justin Stanek

Mentor Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Abstract

Context: In active individuals, increased balance ability is associated with reduced risk of injury. Proprioception, the body's ability to sense joint positioning, is a key factor in balance. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) was developed by physical therapists in the 1940s. It consists of a variety of stretching techniques and diagonal movement patterns which are meant to increase joint proprioception and improve postural stability. Previous research has shown that lower extremity PNF movement patterns can help to improve balance ability in the elderly and post-stroke patients. However, this relationship has not been explored in young, healthy individuals. Objective: To determine if a four-week lower extremity PNF exercise program improves balance ability in healthy college students. Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Athletic Training Education Program Laboratory in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation (KNR). Participants: Thirty undergraduate and graduate KNR students ages 18-30 randomly assigned into intervention (n=15) or control (n=15) group. Intervention: Four-weeks of a PNF pattern exercise program, completed two times per week. Outcome Measures: Center of pressure area and displacement during single-leg stance on a force plate, Y-Balance test scores. Results: Data collection is incomplete, but results section will display changes in force place data and Y-balance scores between pre and post testing for the intervention and control groups. Conclusions: The conclusion section will discuss the clinical relevance of the data and whether this exercise program could be used for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

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