Effects of Combining PNF With NMES in Young Basketball Players

NCT06648356 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UNIVERSITY CARDENAL HERRERA-86
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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. One program uses a special stretching technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), while the other uses the same stretching but adds electrical stimulation (NMES).

Conditions

Hamstring Flexibility

Keywords

hamstring flexibility; vertical jump; basketball; Propioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation; Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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.

  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.

  Before and inmediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• The Counter Movement Jump

  Before and inmediately after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

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.

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.

Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); Other: Contract-Relax PNF (crPNF)

Interventions

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.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF)

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.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES + crPNF); contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (crPNF)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active basketball players who train at least 3 days a week
• Ages between 11 and 18 years
• Male gender

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cardenal Herrera University: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Ceu Cardenal Herrera

Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46113, Spain

Location

Study Officials

• Juan Francisco Lisón Párraga, Dr

  Cardenal Herrera University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 14, 2024
• First Posted: October 18, 2024
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 22, 2024
• Study Completion: October 23, 2024
• Last Updated: October 30, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-10

Locations

ES (1)