PNF As A Training System – More Than Just Stretching! Part I
Strength training is often regarded as a discipline confined largely to the gymnasium or sports field. Unfortunately, this can obscure the fact that it can and does appear in other situations which have little direct connection with sport.
In particular, PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) contains many useful techniques which can play an important role in the strength training of athletes. It is one of the aims of this section to show that PNF is a comprehensive conditioning system which includes not only many of the principles already covered in this book, but also adds insights which complement these principles.
PNF is invariably regarded by conditioning coaches as a special type of sophisticated stretching, alongside static, ballistic and passive stretching. PNF is far more than just another stretching technique; it is actually an entire system of therapy comprising a broad spectrum of different techniques and procedures for rehabilitating patients suffering from various musculoskeletal injuries or disabilities. Stretching constitutes but one of many aspects of the full repertoire of PNF methods, yet even those enlightened coaches who use PNF extol only its virtues as a stretching system.
PNF was developed by Herman Kabat from 1946-1951 on the basis of work by renowned physiologists including Sherrington, Hellebrand, McGraw, and Pavlov. It created a practical rehabilitative system for applying findings on the reflexes of the body, motor development of the infant and the neuromuscular responses of adults.
Essentially, PNF recognizes that all physical conditioning depends primarily on neuromuscular processes involving sensitive receptors (proprioceptors) in the muscles, tendons and joints which enable a person to stabilise and move the body and its parts in space and time. Appropriate recruitment of the various stretch reflexes of the body, therefore, forms a vital part of PNF conditioning.
Formally, PNF is defined as a system for promoting the response of neuromuscular mechanisms by stimulating the proprioceptors. Knott and Voss state quite simply that PNF techniques involve placing a demand where a response is required. Its relation to the well-known SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) principle then becomes clear.
Essentially, two types of PNF may be recognised: classical PNF and modified PNF. The former refers to the hands-on clinical approach described in the Knott and Voss text, while the latter refers to an approach which adapts certain PNF techniques and principles for application by hand or apparatus in physical conditioning.
- Supertraining 6th Edition by Dr Mel Siff
Supertraining by Dr Mel Siff
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